A/N: Final chapter. Thanks for joining me on this ride! This was my first piece of Fanfiction ever written, so to be finished with it is bittersweet. Took me long enough. Thanks so much to all of you for reading and your love of this story. I hope it's not too disappointing but it had to end sometime. xoxo

Eric is seated on the edge of the bed as I reveal the muscled expanse of his chest, peeling apart the fabric one button at a time, while he runs his fingers up and down my arms. My hands are a bit shaky, but I want this. I need this connection renewed between us. His hands stop at my wrists and pull them away from the final two buttons left on his shirt.

He looks up at me, holding my hands in his. "Sookie, we don't have to do this right now. You're still hurt."

"I'm fine. I want to. I've missed you and I need to feel you against me."

"We can just lie here. I'd be content to just hold you. I don't want to hurt you."

"Then be gentle," I say with a small smile.

I push him back so that he's lying down and move to straddle his waist. It's then I remember the lower half of my body isn't quite up to snuff yet. I try to hide my wince, but Eric catches it.

He pushes his back off the bed to sit up. "See, I'm not going to do this with you in pain."

"I'm hurting, but not because of the accident. I need the one thing that I can only get from you. Don't deny me this. Make love with me. Please."

He nods; the sluggish gesture appearing hypnotic as his head bobs up and down. The warmth of his hands glides down my sides, coming to a final rest on my hips. An influx of sensation washes over me with each intricate placement of his fingers against my heated skin. He slides his body further onto the bed, pulling me down on top of him. He smoothly flips us over so that my back is on the mattress and he strips me, like I'm a precious porcelain doll he's afraid he'll crush with the slightest quiver of his ministrations. It's almost too slow for me. He notices my tension and bends his head to kiss me. His tongue brushes mine and butterflies take flight. The slow churn of warmth building in my belly can only mean one thing—I'm not completely broken.

XXXX

I don't care to be around people. I can't handle it when the one person I want to see, I have to stay away from. I've become this freak of nature that has to avoid human touch at all costs. Until I had one too many. Alcohol isn't a close acquaintance so I wasn't sure about Tara's plan to "fix me," but it seems to have worked. I'm not sure why and I don't care to find out how, but I'm no longer reading anyone's thoughts. I haven't picked up an errant comment from Tara all day and I know she's thinking some sick shit. She would, just to test me.

So why am I in this night club with blaring music, flashing lights and wall to wall people? Tara M. Thornton, that's why. For some reason, she seemed to think I needed to get out, do something exciting, and be amongst the living. I am amongst the living. If I wasn't, I'd be dead. A fact I tried to argue but she wouldn't listen. She has me here testing out whether or not I've truly lost my newfound gift. I think it's gone completely, but she needs me to be sure. So we're out in a huge ass crowd, being fondled, pushed, and rubbed up against. Lovely.

I'm having such a great time I can't contain myself. Yeah, that's why I'm standing stock still with a grimace on my face. No matter what song comes through the speakers, I have no desire to dance. I want to go home. I want to find my boyfriend. He'd be so happy to know that I'm no longer a victim to my wacky brain. I'm free from the pain and anguish of hearing anyone else's thoughts. And it seems all it took was a bit of heavy handed drinking, passing out and possible brain damage. Again.

"Come on Sookie, lighten up. You love to dance. What the fuck is your problem?"

I poke my tongue out at her. I don't really give a shit.

"Tara, I want to go home. I want to see Eric. I want to fuck Eric. Do you know how long it's been?"

"Here, drink this, loosen up, and get your ass out there and dance with me. I want you to make sure your special gift is gone. Maybe it's a fluke. You were drunk as shit last night, and woke up with a hangover this afternoon. I think you should try again now that you're not under the influence. Drink this to get you relaxed and just go with the flow."

And I do.

Dun dun dun, dunna nana nana na na.

The opening notes of "I Need You Tonight" by Inxs starts playing. Well who could resist that? I walk out to the dance floor with her and proceed to shake my ass. We're dancing, and I start to have a good time. But not too good a time when some asshole comes up behind me and puts his hands on my hips. I relax a little, thinking Tara's right. Let's see what happens. I open my mind, let the beat of the music overhead fade to a low hum, and I hear… nothing. But I do feel this prick's prick poking me in the ass. Eww! He grips my hips a little tighter and pulls me closer to his gyrating midsection. I shudder and slide around Tara to stand behind her. I've proved my point, I'm ready to go. She's fumbling with her phone as I tap her on the shoulder to get her attention.

"Okay, Lady T. I've danced, I've been groped—still no thoughts. Let's get the hell out of here, please."

"Okay. Yeah, good. Good. I just wanted you to be—"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, sure my ass. Let's go."

Since my car was totaled in the accident, Tara drives. I'm not opposed to her driving, but I don't like having to hold onto the armrest like it's the only thing between me and death. Doesn't she remember I was just in a car accident? But to be fair, she drives a hell of a lot slower than Eric. I lie back, resting my head against the headrest as Tara prattles on about something. I'm totally zoning out, thinking about calling Eric. God, I've missed him so much. How do I let her talk me into stuff like this?

"Very easily. You can't say no to me."

"Shit, did I say that out loud?"

"You did. Why'd you think I answered you? And don't you go thinking nothing else about me, smart ass."

"Yes, ma'am. Bossy bitch," I grumble under my breath.

"I heard that."

"I wanted you to."

"Yeah, you're head's fine."

"Not funny."

She laughs so hard tears are streaming down her face. I'm so busy arguing with her that I don't notice we're not far from Eric's, er… my apartment. I thought we were going back to Gran's house.

"What's going on, Tara?"

"Huh?"

"Don't you play dumb with me."

"I'm not. I don't know what you're problem is."

"I thought we were going back to Bon Temps. You sneaky little… did you plan this all along? Tara? Tell me!"

She's trying to hide her smile but can clearly see the corner of her mouth lifting slowly. Something is up.

"Fine, yes. Shit. I called Eric when you were in the shower and told him you were cured. He wanted to rush right over but I asked him to make sure ya'lls place was in order before I brought you there. I used the club as an excuse to get you into a cute outfit and loosened up for him. Now, you owe me an apology for whatever names you called me in your head while getting ready for tonight."

"I love you, Tara. I really do. You're such a good friend." I can feel my eyes tearing up but I fight to keep them at bay. Now isn't the time for tears.

"Aw… I love you too, honey. You know I'd do anything for you. I just wanted you to have a good night after all the bullshit. It was killing me to keep you out for so long but Eric told me he'd text me when he was ready."

That's why she was messing with her phone. Sneaky little…

"That's the only reason I can't be mad at you. You are so selfless. I really can't thank you enough."

"Just name your firstborn after me. Unless it's a boy of course," she laughs.

"I'll have to discuss that with Eric, but we'll see."

We pull up to the apartment building and I lean over to hug Tara before getting out of the car. I'm nervous. I know why I'm nervous, but I shouldn't be. I take a few deep breaths as I enter the building and head up to that familiar floor. The floor I've gone to so many times before.

I approach the door and raise my hand to knock but the door flies open before I can.

"Baby!" Eric pulls me into his arms before I can say anything and kisses me breathless. "I can't believe… when Tara called… I missed you so much."

"I missed you too. I'm too excited to see you right now to throttle you, but know that it's coming."

He smirks. "Throttle me? Why?"

"You know exactly why. I can't believe how much I've missed you. I'm so sorry about this whole mess."

"This was not your fault." He squeezes my arms to get his point across. "You were driving to see your Gran when you were hit by that lunatic Lorena. You have to know it wasn't your fault. I won't have you blaming yourself for anything that happened. I'm sorry I couldn't have prevented it. That's what kills me the most. I should have been with you. I could have done something…"

"There's nothing you could have done." I finally realize the truth of his and my words. "We both have to accept that it was out of our hands and couldn't be helped. If I have to do it, so do you. Deal?"

"Deal." He nods but it looks like a chore. I wonder how much he's been beating himself up over this.

I need to take his mind off his worries, even if just for a little while.

"Eric? Why don't you show me how much you've missed me?"

He looks taken aback, but a slow smile appears on his face as he thinks it over. "I thought you'd never ask."

He pulls me into the apartment and leads me back to the bedroom. The scent of magnolias fills the room and I gasp as I look at what he's done. There are candles in all shapes and sizes spread throughout the room, giving it a warm amber glow. It's romantic without being too over the top. I love it. The few bouquets of flowers don't overwhelm the space but look so ethereal that I have to touch them to be sure they're real. I haven't been here in so long I've forgotten I live here too. That makes me feel even worse. To know he's been here, alone, dealing with not being able to touch me or be close in any way. I sigh and he lifts my chin so that our eyes meet.

"No sadness. We're together, no matter what else is going on. I love you and that's all that is important right now."

I nod and tuck my face into his neck, inhaling his familiar scent. He's trembling while we stand wrapped in one another's arms, and I'm just as jittery. I smooth my hands up and down his back gently, and he pulls me closer. We stand that way for quite a while before I build up the nerve to make the first move. I know I have to in order to show him it's okay.

.

.

"Hold still."

"Eric, I'm not moving."

"You will want to once I get started, now hold… still…"

I smile down at him as he slides lower along my body, stopping as his head hovers over my breasts.

"Are you comfortable with your arms above your head, or out to the side?"

I raise them, testing the position out and leave them above my head. His grasps my wrists in one of his hands and holds onto them with a tender touch. His other hand rests lightly against my hip and he lowers his mouth to my breast. I jerk violently as his tongue flicks over my nipple; it puckers in response. He stops and looks up at me with mischief in his eyes.

"I told you to hold still." His voice is husky and sends chills down my spine. "Don't. Move."

I nod (barely) and he lowers his head again. I tremble under his touch, as his tongue continues to flick and lave at the hardening tip. He switches to the other breast and I shift my hips under his hand. His grip tightens in warning and I giggle.

"If you're laughing, I'm really not doing my job."

As soon as I go to reply, his hand releases my wrists and he's moved even lower down the bed. His long fingers tease and tickle as they trace a line of increasing heat which burns its way to my innermost warmth. My body remembers him and acquiesces to his every whim. My knees separate as his hand trails up my inner thigh. Following very close behind is his tongue. He whispers something as he works his way up to the heart of me. The warmth of his breath tickles every inch it touches as his declarations of love caress my skin. His mouth covers me and I cannot lie still. My hips rise from the comfort of the mattress, thrusting wildly to press him closer. He pulls away, shaking his head and tsking. I try to calm myself and keep still but it is a losing game. The moment I feel the coolness of a gust of air he's just blown over my nub, I'm done for. I moan incoherent curses and he continues his assault as I scream his name over and over again.

No longer able to calmly administer to my needs, he enters me in one thrust and we both groan as we are reintroduced. The connection is what we desire to express the unspoken thoughts between us. We move as one, not caring if the world falls down around us. Eric is my world. He keeps me whole. I've always known, just never accepted or appreciated him for that. I realize just how close I came to losing him forever and hold him tighter. I convulse in his arms as my quiet sobs rip through me. He holds onto me, muttering words of comfort until I am still.

We lie in bed clinging tighter than the sweat soaked sheets around us. The television flickers on and something catches my eye. I wipe the back of my hand across my face to be sure my eyes aren't mucked up with remnants of my prior tears and sit up to get a closer look at the screen.

"Eric, where's the remote?"

His long arms wade through the sheets searching for the device he carelessly tossed aside a moment ago. He comes up with it after a minute and hands it over to me. I turn up the volume and am shocked at what I hear.

"…the suspect in a local attempted murder scheme was caught trying to flee the state. One William Compton furiously explained to the police that he was on his way to see his mother, in Bermuda. Police also had to detain an unidentified blonde woman for assaulting Mr. Compton. At least three officers were needed to remove her from his person as she hurled insults at him and repeatedly kicked him while he lay on the ground. Witnesses at the scene were unable to give an accurate report as their laughter prevented them from making a coherent statement. In other news…"

I turn the volume down because I don't need to hear more than that. Eric's holding his sides as he laughs and I'm at a loss for words.

"Did you see… did you see that that was Pam? I bet I know where she kicked him too. She probably tried to break his balls and might have succeeded. I guess we'll need to go bail her out, huh?"

I nod. I can't speak. Bill's been caught. I already know about Lorena as I talked to Sheriff Dearborn myself. And Gran still hasn't heard from Aunt Linda, but I'm not sure if she will at this point. As long as Bill's been caught, I think I can breathe again. Eric must have noticed me stiffen next to him because he pulls me into his arms and rocks me back and forth.

"It's over now. He can't hurt you and neither can that crazy bitch. I won't let them or anyone else hurt you, ever again. Okay?"

"I know. I'm okay, just shocked is all. I never thought, I just … is it really over?"

"Yes my love. I have you back and I'll never let you go."

And he doesn't.

THE END