Back home I asked Jim to wait outside, he didn't need to be here for this. I paced nervously, trying to "call" Eric to me. Of course he was asleep so it wouldn't work right now, but it couldn't hurt to be prepared.

I knew when Eric rose by the feeling of calm that came over me. Even during all this, it still made me feel better to be around him. Go figure.

Actually that was probably a good thing because without our bond I might have walked away. No, I would have walked away, married or not.

I was sitting in the library to wait for him so he couldn't avoid me when he emerged. As the panel opened he looked better than he had last night, but still not his normal self.

He raised his eyebrows when he saw me waiting and walked straight past me, ignoring me.

"Eric."

He paused and turned back. "I have to go."

Who'd have thought I had the power to stop Eric in his tracks. "No, we need to talk and we're doing it now."

"Sookie, you don't understand."

"Then explain it to me."

"I don't have time."

And yet he wasn't going anywhere. "I know about Simon," I told him. "I know you killed him and I know that's why Christopher wants revenge on you."

Eric's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"You can break every thing in this room for all I care, we are still having this talk when you're finished."

"NO!" I saw his fangs glisten in the lamp light. "It's safer if you know nothing of this. I need to go."

"Wrong, you need to talk to me. In case you've forgotten we're married and we're bonded. That means that you belong to me every bit as much as I belong to you."

It seemed like the penny finally dropped. His anger melted into astonishment. "You... you're the reason I'm not leaving," he stated. "You… damn it, Sookie!" The table beside him went flying into the wall, then his shoulders slumped slightly.

Determined to finish this, flying furniture be damned, I walked over to him and stood in front of him. He was looking at a spot on the floor.

"Please," okay, I had finally reached the begging stage. He still didn't respond so I put my hands on either side of his face, trying to make him look at me.

Instead I looked into him. And I do mean into.

I was assaulted with images and feelings. I experienced everything Eric remembered. The pain, the misery, the fear. Simon didn't let his children leave him and Eric was his captive, forced to do his bidding and face his punishment for centuries. I saw the plot with the human witch to weaken Simon, his murder and then more fear, fear Eric would be found out. Not only did I see these things, I felt them, like they were happening to me. I couldn't breathe.

I don't know how long that took because the next thing I remember I was lying on the library's green leather sofa, Eric hovering over me.

"Oh, Eric," I burst into tears. "I'm so sorry."

Maybe it had happened nearly seven hundred years ago, but the memories hadn't faded, they were obviously still just as painful for Eric.

Eric held me, seeming slightly shell shocked, until my tears subsided.

"You heard me?" he asked, his voice full of disbelief.

I shuddered at the memory. "I felt it, too." I swallowed down the tears that threatened to bubble over again. "I'm so sorry, Eric. I don't know how you survived that."

"Because I had no choice," he said curtly. "But we have something else to discuss, Sookie. You heard me."

I sighed and pushed myself upright. "Yes, Eric, I did."

"Is this the first time it's happened?"

Now I had a choice, truth or lie. Lie was probably safer right now. "No, it's happened before." I didn't particularly relish more secrets between us. "Every so often I'd get flashes, maybe only half a dozen times and just for a second each time. What happened tonight, the depth of… well, that's never happened before, even with humans."

"Why didn't you tell me this?"

Sure, because that was the issue right now.

"Because the first time it ever happened was when you were pissed over your money being stolen. You weren't exactly my best buddy back then and I haven't the slightest doubt you'd have staked me that night, not Long Shadow. In fact, that's still why I haven't told you because even if you don't kill me, someone else will want to and I have enough death threats hanging over my head right now, thank you very much." I needed the deep breath I took after that.

Eric raised himself from his knees and sat beside me on the sofa, putting his head in his hands. "Oh, Sookie," he said sadly. All the fight seemed to be gone from him. This must have been going on for… without a calendar I couldn't say, all the days seemed to run together, but at least three or four weeks. If I'd been angry, fighting and worrying for all that time, I might look a bit defeated too.

"We've both been keeping secrets," he continued. "I knew that if you found out what was happening you'd want to help and I couldn't- no, I can't allow that. Christopher isn't just Simon's child, he's his protégé. The word sadist isn't adequate for what he is."

I leaned against him and rested my head on his shoulder. "Helping doesn't mean I have to fight, Eric. Maybe I just want to be there for you."

His arm went around my shoulders, the first gesture of affection between us in a long time.

"I've missed you," he said, kissing the top of my head.

"I missed you too. What were you supposed to be doing tonight?"

"Hunting. We found Christopher's nest again last night, but he'd already moved on, leaving only a few behind in wait for us."

"What will they do if you don't turn up?"

"Continue without me. Pam was… she is missed by all of us. We all want to see her… avenged." He choked on the last word, but at least he had admitted the truth, she was unlikely to still be alive.

"I'm sorry."

"Me too."

"You're not alone, Eric. We will find a way."

Eric didn't answer for a while, he was probably brooding about the fact I was now involved. "How did you find out about Simon?" he asked.

"First, Bill's vampire database, then Niall filled in the blanks."

"It makes sense Niall would have check me out thoroughly and he is trustworthy, he won't betray me. Not while you are with me, at least. Does anyone else know?"

Oh no. "Jim. He was there too."

"The shifter? Where is he?"

"Outside. I didn't want him here for our talk. You won't hurt him, will you?"

"I can glamour him, that should be enough. I'll do it now, then we can continue our conversation."

Eric went to the front door, insisting I stay inside, like there was a sniper waiting for the front door to open or something. When he returned he had Jim and Bubba with him. Eric asked Bubba and I to leave for a moment so he could speak to Jim in private so we went to the kitchen and I warmed Bubba a True Blood.

Eric joined us a minute or two later and nodded to me that Jim's memory had been altered.

"Why did you call Bubba back?" Eric asked me, as though Bubba wasn't in the room with us.

"I realised I needed him after I reopened Fangtasia."

Eric froze. "You reopened Fangtasia?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because you were drawing cash out of our account like it was monopoly money."

"I have other assets, Sookie."

I glared at his condescension. "I realise that, Eric, but you didn't tell me how to liquidate those assets, your accountant didn't have the authority either and you weren't exactly firing on all cylinders. It was either reopen the bar or watch the money dry up."

He considered for a second then asked, "Where did you find vampires?"

"I called some friends. Amelia, Jim and Franklin Mott, they all knew a couple of vamps who could help. Belinda knew an out of work bartender and between me and a couple of extra waitresses, we managed."

"And the clinic?"

"Getting busier. Next week we'll be half full plus a lot of day treatments are being booked. I go to the clinic until 6, then to Fangtasia for the evening."

Eric's expression was a mixture of pride, disbelief and guilt. Finally he smiled. "You continue to surprise me, love. You have untapped depths," he said, wrapping me in a tight embrace.

"Wasn't hard, everything was already set up, I just kept it ticking over."

I heard him huff at my rebuttal, but he didn't say anything. Perhaps he'd had enough of fighting too.

"Bubba, thank you for keeping her safe, I am in your debt."

Bubba shrugged. "I'd do most anything for Miss Sookie."

Eric looked down at me. "I know the feeling."

Much as I didn't want to spoil the mood, we had other things to cover tonight. "We need to talk about you now, Eric." I reminded him.

He released me from his arms and glared, though it wasn't as frightening as the looks he'd been giving me the last few weeks.

"What do you want to know?" he asked, rather ungraciously if you ask me.

"Nothing, unless there's more I need to know?"

He shook his head.

"Then we need a plan."

"Sookie, I have a plan. Specifically one that doesn't involve you."

"What about one that involves my grandfather?"

"He will not want to involve himself in vampire issues," he answered confidently. "Helping us could start a war, he wouldn't risk that for me."

"He will risk it for me. He offered to kill you for me, Eric, just to end the bond. I know he'll help us. The question is, are you willing to accept that help?"

Eric looked a little disturbed that Niall had considered killing him then he turned thoughtful. He sat down next to Bubba at the small kitchen table and turned to stone. I wished he'd pace or something, his total immobility was freaking me out.

He finally blinked. "I will consider it," he said.

I pulled my phone out and called Niall. Without even bothering to answer his phone, Niall appeared in the kitchen.

He looked from Eric to me and back again. "You have apologised for your mistreatment of Sookie?"

"He has," I confirmed. I didn't exactly recall Eric using the words 'I'm sorry' but I could see he was. That was enough.

"Good." He was speaking directly to Eric. "First I must tell you that your actions have endangered my granddaughter and that does not please me in the slightest."

Again I rushed to Eric's defence. "Grandfather, he couldn't know this would happen, it was centuries ago and…" Hmm, I'd just realised something. "And no one has actually tried to attack me. That doesn't make any sense. Why take Pam when I'm closer to you and she's stronger than I am?"

"Three reasons," Eric explained. "One, he is unaware of our blood bond. He does not know that I would be able to tell if something happened to you like I would if something happened to my child. Second, in life Christopher was, I believe they're now called sociopaths. He had no feeling for his friends and family above what they could do for him and he judges everyone by his standards. Taking Pam was a more a declaration of war than a punishment for me. Finally, you are under the protection of Felipe and any aggression against you would be seen as aggression towards the king. Christopher is insane, but he isn't stupid. "

That made some sense, in psycho-world, anyway.

Niall coughed to remind us he was there and his time was precious. "If we may continue. I am willing to help you, Eric, only because you are important to Sookie. If she would allow me, I would rather kill you to end her suffering, but she will not hear of it and so I must work with you if I am to keep her safe. I have spoken with Claudine and Claude, both are also willing to assist us."

Claudine helping didn't surprise me but Claude did. I wondered what Niall had offered or threatened to secure his support.

"What do you suggest?" Eric asked. I could tell that it was hard for him to accept help, especially since it wasn't exactly being given willingly.

"Annihilation."

Well, that was easy enough to explain.

"We don't know where they are," Eric explained. "They always seem to be one step ahead."

"Do you know how many?"

"Aside from Christopher, he seems to have another three permanently with him and a lot of followers. They vary and change. We have already killed at least ten followers whom he has left to ambush us."

Niall nodded. "I shall discover their location then return to you."

"How?" I asked, just before he poofed away again.

"I have avenues open to me that are not accessible from this mortal plane." And he was gone.

"One day I'll find someone who doesn't like being enigmatic," I said, flopping into the chair beside Eric.

Eric looked slightly different and I realised the change was in his eyes. There was hope in them now.

Niall appeared again about fifteen minutes later.

"I know their location and numbers. They have a human witch protecting them but her magic is no match for ours."

"How did you find this out?" I asked.

"I consulted a psychic."

"Is she a faerie psychic?"

"He used to be. He lives outside of time now and he can see the past, present and future, though he will not tell everything he sees."

"So what now?" I asked him.

"We will raid it at dawn while the vampires are sleeping. The human will not be a problem for us."

"No," Eric stood up. "I thank you for your help, Niall, but have to finish this myself."

Niall looked at Eric, almost assessing him.

I looked between them, hoping Niall would say no.

"Very well. Claude and Claudine will not be able to accompany us because of their scent but if you will allow me to help, I shall leave this to your kind to finish things."

"NO!" I yelled as I stood up. The gesture wasn't quite as imposing as when Eric did it. "Eric, I feel like I just got you back, you can't do this." God damn battle loving vampires!

He looked down at me, sadness and determination warring on his features. "I must, Sookie. Not only for Pam, but I must see with my own eyes that it is over. I have been running for centuries." His eyes pleaded with me to understand.

I could see there was no arguing with him, he was determined to risk his life. "Fine, but know this, Eric Northman. If anything happens to you tonight I will hate you until the day I die and when I do die, I'm gonna hunt you down in the afterlife and kick your too tall ass!"

He was fighting a smirk, not exactly the reaction I was hoping for. He leaned down and pulled my head towards him, kissing me passionately. "That's my girl," he told me, his eyes blazing as he pulled away.

Niall checked his watch. "The house they are using as a nest is some distance away. We must leave now if we are to make it back by dawn."

My longing for a little more time with him meant I almost reminded them that Eric could go to ground anywhere, until I remembered what hell tomorrow would be if I had no news.

I picked up his left hand and kissed his ring. "Come back to me."

He bent down and kissed my forehead. "Always, lover."

He pulled away and I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly feeling chill.

"Grandfather, I…" I wasn't as worried about Niall as I was about Eric. Not because I didn't love him but because somehow Niall seemed even more indestructible then Eric. But that didn't mean he was. "Be safe. You guys make up more than half of my family now, I don't want to lose either of you."

Niall smiled fondly, seeming pleased I had remembered him. "I shall, Sookie."

They began walking to the door. "Wait! Take Bubba, an extra pair of hands might help. I'll be fine, I won't leave the house, promise."

Eric shook his head, already having considered and rejected that option. "There's no point in my returning if you are not here to return to."

After the front door closed, I stood where I had been for a while. I'm not sure how long I stood there, or how much longer I would have stayed there if Bubba hadn't said "Wanna watch a movie, Miss Sookie?"

I hardly heard him, just answered automatically, "Sure, Bubba."

To this day I have no idea what we watched. I was looking at the screen but I was seeing the many ways in which Eric might die.

I felt Eric's tension grow as they mounted their attack, I felt his exhilaration as he killed his enemies, his pain as he was hurt and finally, after what felt like an age, his relief when the fight was over. He had survived.

I closed my eyes and offered up a silent prayer of thanks.

"Sookie?" When I opened my eyes again, Eric was in front to me, smiling, and I was covered with a blanket.

"You were hurt." I didn't have to ask, I knew.

"Yes but I have already healed."

"Are you okay?"

He nodded and I threw my arms around him, squeezing him as tightly as I could. "I can't believe I nearly lost you," I said, mentally adding, 'in more ways than one'.

He picked me up and carried me to our bathroom. He undressed me gently, then himself and we climbed into the shower together. I could see where his wounds had been, they were still ugly pink scars, though they would be gone soon.

I tried to wash him but he took the soap from me and cleaned me first, worshiping my body with his hands. When he was finished I returned the favour, washing away the blood and kissing his scars.

Though both completely naked there was no sexual element. Well, not much anyway. We were connecting on a deeper level than that, in a very raw and touching way.

After we'd dried each other Eric carried me back to the bedroom, laid me down in the bed and cradled me against him.

"I know we need to talk love, but it has been a long night and dawn is nearly upon us."

I nodded. Settled against him again I felt like I'd finally come home. The accusations and recriminations could wait until tomorrow. Tonight I was exactly where I belonged.

III

When I awoke the next night, Eric was gently brushing my hair off my brow.

"I thought you would never wake up." His voice was as soft and gentle as his touch.

"You can't get rid of me that easily."

"No." He sounded thoughtful. "No I can't."

"I have to get to work."

His hand moved from my hair to my shoulder, holding me to him. "They will survive without you, love. I won't let you run away from this."

I wanted to snipe back that he'd been the one running, but I had desperately missed him. I didn't want to run any more. "You're right."

I didn't know what else to say after that, apparently neither did Eric. We laid together, each lost in our own thoughts for a while until Eric broke the silence. "I'm sorry," he told me. "I… I can hardly believe how I treated you. My only excuse is fear. Fear for Pam, that you would be dragged in, fear that everything that mattered in my life would be lost."

I had actually felt his fear last night. "I think I understand but that doesn't mean it's acceptable."

"No, love. Can you forgive me?"

"I can but… Eric, I don't ever want to feel that way again. You pushed me away and…" I felt tears prick my eyes. "I've never felt so alone."

"Could you not still feel my love for you?"

"Yes," stupid blood bond had to be good for something. "But that didn't stop you, did it?"

He kissed my hair. "I promise, love, I will never push you away again. It was foolish pride on my part to believe I could win this battle alone. You… you are the reason we are together now, the reason no one is hunting me or my people. This victory is yours, Sookie, your ideas once again saved me, and I'm sorry I forgot that."

I didn't realise I'd been tense until I relaxed. "I forgive you."

As Eric's hands stroked my back, they ignited a fire I hadn't felt for a long time. I moaned softly and raised my head to look into his eyes. I could see my passion mirrored there. Although I could feel Eric's need, his desire to possess me, almost violently, he made his actions gentle and tender. He worshiped my body before finally entering me and we truly became one.

Out of curiosity more than anything, I placed my hands either side of his face again and tried to listen, as I had last night. Nothing happened until I pulled on our bond, then my mind was filled with Eric's thoughts.

When he realised what I was doing he showed me something I never expected. I saw myself as he saw me, and I was beautiful. The woman he imagined me to be didn't really exist, but she wore my face and acted a little like me. I supposed my idea of Eric was slightly different to his self-image too. But however real or imagined his version of me, the emotions I felt pouring from him were all too real.

We climaxed together and the only downside I could see was that I could never show Eric how completely loved him while I could literally look into his soul.

I look my hands away, severing the link. "I'm sorry," I told him. It wasn't fair to read his mind and, although I was glad I had, I wouldn't do it again.

"Don't be. You're learning to use our bond," he smiled. "In my mind, that's a good thing."

"So you're not mad I wouldn't let you leave last night?"

"No."

"And you're not upset that I can read your mind?"

"It presents certain problems, but it doesn't bother me personally, no."

"And you're not at all bothered that you can't call me to heel?"

He grinned, "Who said I couldn't?"

"So you did call me, when Siegbert was attacking you?" Somehow, in the midst of everything, I hadn't thought to ask.

Eric blanched, if a pale faced vampire can actually do that. "No! Sookie, I would never call you into such a dangerous situation, that was your own compulsion."

"Oh. So how do you know it works?"

He waggled his eyebrows. "Honestly, I don't, but the rest of our connection is as it should be, I don't see why that should be any different."

"Weren't you supposed to be able to call me to heel before that, though?"

"Yes, and with a normal human it would have worked. The blood bond, however, is much more than that, as you've just experienced."

"So can you read my mind?"

"I have no idea. That, dear one, is a unique side effect. Would you mind if I tried?"

I shook my head and Eric cupped my cheeks. I tried to relax and make it easier for him. I could feel a pull in my stomach, an attraction towards Eric, almost magnetic. That must be what the "call" felt like. As Eric looked into my eyes, I could also feel little tweaks of power around my mind, like when a vampire tried to glamour me. I didn't push them away.

After a while, Eric lowered his hands.

"Anything?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No."

"I'm sorry." I curled into him again.

"It's enough to know how you feel, I don't need every little thought."

I hoped that was true.

"What's it like, Sookie?"

I took a deep breath. "It's weird. Normally I hear people's thoughts or see images of what they're thinking. Sometimes, especially after I've had vampire blood, the same goes for vamps, but it's not constant, just a split second of their thoughts. With you… it's like I am you, or maybe that your memories and thoughts feel more my own than normal. I feel everything you do, pain, happiness, fear but even though it's like I am you, somehow I know they're not my feelings."

"Can you hear me now?" he asked. His smirk told me he was thinking very naughty things.

"No, only when I try and use our bond. I haven't had any vampire blood in… well weeks, that's usually when I can read vampire minds from a distance. Like I say, it's normally just a flash, but the more blood I have, the more control I have, but it isn't consistent and it always fades again."

"Then I would say it is a side effect of our bond. Which means that this will not fade over time."

I shrugged. "I don't mind as long as I can turn it off. I thought you'd be mad at me."

"I'll confess, there was a time I would have killed you for possessing such a gift, but now… now I find it fascinating." Eric grinned. "Not to mention, potentially very lucrative, lover."

I gave a dramatic sigh. "And he's back," I glared.

Eric laughed. "I am. Is that really so awful?"

"No. You may be an infuriating, overbearing, power hungry vampire, but you're my infuriating, overbearing, power hungry vampire, and I wouldn't have you any other way."

He planted a light kiss on my lips. "Come, love, we must get to Fangtasia."

"They'll live without you," I turned his earlier words back at him.

He smirked. "Perhaps, but not without you, it seems."

He was right, we did need to get to the bar. Belinda would open, she had a set of keys for when I was held up at the clinic, but without me there service would be sluggish and who knew what the vampires would be up to.

"Okay, slave driver." I headed to the wardrobe and pulled my clothes out. Eric came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me.

"Is that what you're wearing?" he asked, eyeing the black slacks and t-shirt.

"Yeah. Why?"

"Sookie, have you been waiting tables?" He sounded very unhappy.

"Yes I have! We needed all hands on deck and I have two capable, experienced hands."

"Not tonight. Tonight you will resume your rightful place as mistress, not minion."

"Eric, it's still short staffed there. Not all the waitresses could sit around and wait for you to reopen, you know."

"Yes, but I have other staff I can call in the event of an emergency. Felicia has probably already done so."

"Felicia is there?"

Eric nodded. "With Pam… well, Felicia has assumed the position of my second so I asked her to go in and keep her eye on things until I got there."

"Are you sure Pam…" Until that moment I hadn't even been aware I'd been harbouring any hope.

"I'm sure," he almost whispered. We were both silent for a moment, remembering our friend. I would have to do something, some kind of memorial. I didn't know what vampires did when one of their own died, as far as I could see they did nothing but mop up the mess. I needed something though.

Eric kissed my cheek, snapping me out of my reverie. "When things are, as you would say, squared away again, we will take some time for us, Sookie. Perhaps revisit Las Vegas as tourists this time. Or Los Angeles is said to be very vampire friendly, I haven't been there for years, or we could even go abroad. I hear they've converted the underground streets in Edinburgh into vampire accommodation. I haven't been there for nearly a century."

"I'd like that," I leaned back into him, thinking how nice some time alone would be, it didn't matter where we went.

"Here," he reached over me and pulled out a dress. "Wear this. It's a favourite of mine."

III

On the way over to Fangtasia I'd explained as much as I could about what had been going on with the bar in Eric's absence, where I'd put receipts, invoices and bank slips etc. I expected him to head straight for his office and check on his beloved enterprise but he surprised me by heading towards the bar with me.

When we stepped through the staff door, I scanned the area, as I usually did, to see that everything was running smoothly. Everyone seemed to have a drink, the waitresses had everything under control and there was one new face. She looked vaguely familiar and I wondered if I'd seen her when she filled in before. Belinda waved when she saw me and grinned as she saw who was beside me.

Unlike most of Fangtasia's fang-bangers, Belinda wasn't jealous of my relationship with Eric. Well, okay, she was envious, but she didn't resent it or me and, while it wasn't saying a lot, Belinda had always been my favourite fang-banger.

Felicia was behind the bar, surprisingly the replacement barman was still back there too. Felicia was smiling at him. Huh, I didn't think Felicia swung that way. Good job he liked vampires.

In among the new vampire faces, I saw a few of our old regulars. Clancy was chatting up a tall redhead, like she needed any sweet talk! I wondered why he wasn't working. Thalia was glaring at all the humans and insulting anyone who came too close.

The new vampires were mingling with the regulars, seemingly as pleased as the humans were for some new blood, if you'll pardon the pun.

Almost in unison Eric and I headed to the bar. I grinned when I realised we'd had the same plan.

"Spooky!" Eric told me in his best vampire voice, waggling his eyebrows playfully.

We reached the bar and Felicia came over to us, bowing slightly to Eric.

"How are things?" Eric asked her.

"Excellent. This human has kept the bar well stocked, clean and orderly. It is worth considering keeping him on staff."

Felicia was right, he had been a godsend.

Eric pursed his lips. "I'll consider it. What about our visitors?"

"Fine, on the whole."

"Oh the whole?" he queried.

Felicia's smile was chilling. "There is one notable exception, as I'm sure you will see for yourself."

Oh no, that would be Steve. I really didn't need Eric to find out what an asshole he had been at times.

But, of course, that was like wishing the sun wouldn't rise in the morning. Nice idea (well it was if you were married to a vamp, like me) but not gonna happen.

Steve was upset because he had another half a dozen vampires to compete with tonight and he didn't like sharing his toys. He also looked a little drunk and I suppressed a groan as I realised he must have fed off of a drunk human. That would not make him any easier to deal with.

In fact, as we approached, he almost looked gleeful, like he was spoiling for a fight. Eric held me close to him so I knew he'd come to the same conclusion.

Steve smirked and barely dipped his head towards Eric.

Ignoring the slight, or pretending to at least, Eric introduced himself.

"How are you enjoying my bar?" he asked Steve.

Steve shrugged. "It was better when she ran things," he winked at me and licked one of his fangs lasciviously.

Eric's hand dug painfully into my hip as he looked down at me. "Sookie is extremely capable and I'm lucky to have her."

"You should leave her to get on with it," Steve chuckled.

Eric's eyes never left mine. "Sookie is too good for this place," clearly meaning, she's too good for you.

"Yeah? She liked it well enough while you were gone."

"Steve," I warned, in a futile attempt to defuse the situation.

Eric tore his eyes away from me and looked down on Steve, raising a sceptical eyebrow. "I'm pleased to hear it. She will like it even more once you are gone."

Steve's fist flew faster than I could see, and equally fast, Eric caught it mid swing. I heard the crunch as Eric's fist clamped down. Steve screamed and fell to his knees, cradling his crushed hand to his chest.

"Leave my area before sunrise or the consequences will not be pleasant."

We turned away. I could almost feel Steve launching himself at me and heard the fight as he was dragged out.

Good, I wouldn't miss him.

I shivered when I realised I'd just been pleased to see someone have their hand broken.

"If you're done reasserting your authority, perhaps we could get down to the business of this business?"

Eric chuckled. "I am sorry, love, but this place is my baby, I am protective of her."

"Yeah yeah, Northman. You better be nice to me or I won't show you my system and you'll spend weeks wondering where things are." We were heading back to the office.

"Oh no, you didn't group the invoices by colour, did you?" he teased.

"No, by size. Big ones, medium ones and baby ones," I answered, deadpan.

Once in his office he shut the door with his foot and swept me into his arms. "I know I should be worried about this place, I know I have a lot to catch up on and I know I need you to talk me through everything, but right now all I can think about is pealing that dress off you."

I considered it for a while. "Well… I guess we can take five minutes out to satisfy your baser urges."

"Five minutes?" he gave me a sardonic smile and I got the feeling that when he was finally finished with me tonight, I wouldn't be walking straight for a week.

"Is that too long for you? I didn't mean to pressure you, baby."

I was sure some of my cries must have been heard in the bar but Eric didn't let up for two hours. I lost count of how many orgasms I had in that time.

By the time he had made his point, I was sore in places I hadn't known I had muscles.

"You're out of condition," he chided as he settled me on the sofa.

I shrugged. "I did try and find another partner so I could keep my hand in. I'll try harder next time."

Eric turned serious. "There wont be a next time, love." He kissed my temple and offered me his wrist.

Eric had drank and now he wanted me to do the same. I hesitated, having the usual reservations about drinking vampire blood. But it would mean a lot to him so I grabbed his wrist and bit down.

After that I dozed for a while and awoke to the scent of Chinese food.

"I thought you'd be hungry," he answered when he noticed me eyeing the bag enviously.

"You thought right. Thank you."

I tucked into an egg roll and began explaining some unusual things to him. Like paying the vampires, that was an expense he wasn't used to seeing.

There was a way to go before I completely trusted him again but he was making a good start.

III

AN: This is the final update for a while. I'm taking a break to work on an original story (yeah, 'cos I'm SO gonna be the next JK) but I will return to this. All the loose ends will be tied up eventually.

Thank you for staying with me on this journey, I hope you'll stick around until I run out of ideas for my own work and return to fanfic. (Trust me, it wont be long!)