Disclaimer: Most characters belong to Charlaine Harris.

So guys, this is the last chapter for this story. It is an extra long one and I hope you like it.

Previously: He had been holding my hand the whole time and he stood, pulling me up with him. He wrapped his arms around me and gave me a full body hug. My body melded against his in a way that used to be so familiar. I could feel him breathing in the scent of my hair deeply, but it didn't feel creepy, I suddenly felt soothed, and relaxed. I tucked my head under his chin and closed my eyes.

Unfortunately, that was when Eric arrived and he was looking furious.

"Oh, keep your fangs in." I snapped before he could say anything. Luckily I had realised where the good feeling was really coming from, so I had some warning, though not enough to pull away from Bill in time. Although I was firm in my words I also made sure to let him know I was pleased to see him through the bond. "Bill was just helping me sort though my thoughts that's all. And you should be grateful to him as I've decided to come back."

Nothing from Eric

"To Bon Temps"

Still nothing

"To come home." I pressed on.

"Damn" said Eric finally with a completely blank expression. I blanched. He didn't want me to? "Well, in that case I guess I still can't kill Compton." He said very seriously, then he flashed me a grin and pulled me into his arms and kissed me with the passion of the Gods, holding my face to his with one hand while the other extensively explored my butt. When he finally let me pull reluctantly away I realised Bill had left.

"That wasn't very nice you know." I said swatting at him. He raised an eyebrow in disagreement so I waved a hand to the empty balcony to clarify what I was talking about "Bill is my friend. You could try to be nice to him. Or at least not so mean."

"I am being as nice as I can to that … well lets just say, it is by your grace that he lives, if you ever change your mind just let me know." he actually sounded hopeful.

"Eric! You are not to hurt Bill."

"After everything he has done to you, hurt doesn't come close to what I want to do to him."

"That is between Bill and me. If I can forgive him, I'm damn sure you can." Eric just glowered. I sighed, I was never going to win that one.

"Well, he is going to be my neighbour again which I guess puts him back on guard duty. You can give him credit for that at least."

"True. I can rely on him to watch over you, whether I ask him to or not, whether you need it or not. He is practically a peeping tom. Peeping Bill, perhaps I should call him that from now on."

"You will do no such thing." Eric just flashed a wicked grin at me.

"Hmmm, maybe Compton does have further use. What would you be willing to negotiate to save him from being called Peeping Bill throughout all of Area 5?"

"Eric, you wouldn't!" but I knew he would. Damn it, I had no leverage, I couldn't even use the fact that I'd helped him when he was being held because he'd just want to share with everyone exactly how I'd helped him, my favour-in-the-bank was worthless, if anything it gave Eric even more power over me. Why did I think this was going to end badly for everyone except Eric.

"What are you after?" I said cringing.

"Relax, it's not that big a deal really. Just a small interview with the AVL." he shrugged.

"An interview with the AVL? What for?" He was being too casual. Something was going on.

"Well, even though we did a good job of turning what would have been very bad press into very good press, the AVL were not happy that I was a little, over enthusiastic, when we came to get you the next night. There are some complaints from the human law enforcement and the AVL want to evaluate our connection to see if my actions were justified, if they are defensible. We need to convince them that we are together, that you are mine, otherwise I may face trial. Even humans can understand a man losing his temper when a woman he cares about has been taken. We must appear to be a couple so the AVL can defend my actions." He seemed to be picking his words very carefully and I suspected there was more to this than he was saying but I could hardly refuse. I didn't want Eric to get in trouble for protecting me. Again.

"Fine. Wait! What do I need to do, exactly?"

"You will have a small interview with someone from the AVL who will determine our relationship. If you could stick to the fact that we are lovers and that we have a blood-bond, it would be better for us than you declaring that you hate me and don't trust me as far as you can throw me."

"I don't hate you." Eric raised his eyebrows but his lips were twitching, I could feel how smug he was feeling "At least not all the time. If you could at least try to be nice between now and whenever this interview is, its possible I won't hate you at the time." Eric grinned at me. "OK so I tell some AVL guy we're bonded, then what?"

"They may want details of the bonding, again if you could stick to the fact that you chose to be bonded to me it would be better."

"But I did no such thing!"

"You did. You chose me over Andre. Though it would be better if you left Andre's involvement out of things when talking with the AVL."

"So I have to pretend I bonded with you because I wanted to. Why? What will it mean?"

A flash of hurt crossed Eric's face and I winced, that didn't come out right. I opened my mouth to apologise, and explain that I didn't resent the bond any more but he cut me off.

"Being bonded to me protects you from other vampires but it needs to be formally recognised to hold real weight. The problem is that the only witness, Andre, is finally-dead. When the AVL sanction our relationship it will make it harder for Felipe to take you from me." I looked at him "or from your life." he added hastily misunderstanding my look.

I thought about it for a minute. I wasn't sure I was going to get into a relationship with Eric. As much as I loved him, we still had a lot of issues, and it might be dangerous for him if I was seen as a weakness. Besides, despite the sex, we really hadn't talked about anything, and Bill was right I did need the talking as well if I was going to be involved with someone. But then we already had the bond, so it wasn't like we'd be changing anything. I figured pretending to be a happy couple for the AVL wasn't that bad, it wasn't like I'd see any of them again, and it was only for one interview. Anything that kept me from Felipe and Victor had to be a good thing. I didn't like the idea of pretending to have wanted the bond, but Eric was right I'd had a choice, just a very limited one. What was that saying about the the devil you know.

"OK, well I guess it's just one interview and if it will keep Felipe away that's good then, right?"

"Very good, I would say."

"That's it, nothing else? And you'll leave Bill alone?"

"I believe the agreement was that I wouldn't rename Bill, Peeping Bill, and you have my word, do the interview and Bill will remain just Bill."

"Fine."

This didn't seem so bad. I would have done it anyway seeing as Eric was in trouble for saving me. Besides, if it helped against Felipe it had to be a good thing. Of course I knew Eric would milk it, being very cosy and pushing me to say how wonderful he was several times, but I could live with that. Really I owed him that too.

"Great, We need to be there in two hours."

"What?"

"We're meeting with them tonight."

"You …" I couldn't think of a word bad enough "You already had this set up."

"Actually the AVL already had this set up. I really have no choice in this, not if I don't want to be put on public trial by the AVL."

"Public trial? But?" I blew out a long breath. "Fine, I suppose I should find something to wear."

"Pam will be over later with some clothes for you."

"I am not dressing like a fang-banger."

"Much as I would be glad to see you in your fang-banger outfit again, I have very fond memories of it, that is not the look we will be going for, so you can relax."

He suddenly got a very Eric look in his eyes. "In fact, I think some relaxation is exactly what you need." his eyes ran down my body and I shivered

"Eric? What are you …"

"I'm just doing as you asked. I'm being nice between now and the interview. I plan to be very nice in fact." He was so close to me yet not touching me it was torture.

"Wait." I said stepping back from him. He looked … well I'm not sure how he looked, a little like he was bracing himself, I guess.

"Yes Sookie?"

"I should … I need, to apologise to you." Eric looked stunned. I pushed on before I could lose my nerve.

"I should never have acted the way I did. I shouldn't have left and shut off the bond without talking to you. I was confused and scared and angry, but I should never have taken it out on you. You have always been good to me, and I knew you cared about me, and I care about you, but I was scared of that, scared of the damage you could do to me because of it, so I ran. I'm sorry Eric, I'm so sorry …"

I was rambling but I didn't get any further because he pulled me against him, pressing my face into his chest. He opened up the bond and I could feel an immense happiness flowing through him into me, it was staggering. His lips found mine and for a long time he just kissed me. Eric really knew how to kiss. Often his kisses were passionate knee-tremblers. This was no less intense but it was full of sweetness. The sort of kiss that can make a woman cry. It certainly did me anyway. Eric just kissed away my tears and carried on.

Gently he lifted me, without breaking the kiss, and carried me to my bedroom. He put me down and stood looking at me, brushing the hair from my face as his eyes roved over my features again and again. The he cupped my face in both his hands and kissed me again. Softly and slowly. His hands drifted down slowly and undid the buttons of my shirt, his knuckles brushing my breasts as he did so.

Once my shirt was off he was back to kissing, his hands stroking my neck, and down my back and up my arms and finally coming down to my breasts. He ran his fingers over them softly, then cupped them gently weighing them in his hands as his thumbs brushed my nipples through my bra. I was quivering and Eric slid his hands down to my waist lifting me ever so slightly and sitting me on the bed.

He knelt before me and undid my shorts, laying me back on the bed. I lifted my hips as he pulled them down, running his fingers the length of my legs as he went. Then he started working his way back up. Starting at my ankles, he kissed and stroked his way up my legs, giving equal attention to each one. I was panting and squirming with desire but he would not be rushed. When he got to the top of my thighs, kissing every inch of soft skin while his hands gently squeezed and lifted my buttocks, he then kissed my hips and moved up to my waist.

Lifting his head from my belly he ran his hands up my back and removed my bra. His eyes glowing as he observed my bounty with a quiet reverence. Finally he lay beside me and dipped his head to take a nipple in his mouth while teasing and rubbing the other with his hand. I was so glad to be able to finally reach him. I ran my fingers through his hair and pressed up into him as a moan escaped me.

I tried to stroke as much of him as I could reach, his neck and shoulders and back, along his arms, when I reached the hand on my breast he placed my hand where his had been and put his own hand on top of mine. Pressing down, he massaged me with my own hand as he flicked my other nipple with his tongue causing ripples of pleasure to undulate through me.

My thighs seem to spread of their own accord and I felt him smile against me before he swapped to the other breast. His fangs were teasing my areola as gentle fingers started stroking my inner thighs and over my mound, carefully avoiding my most sensitive spot. I moaned again and moved against him, as he danced around what I most wanted.

Bringing his head up to look down into my eyes, I saw pools of deepest blue brimming with passion and desire.

"Say it" he whispered hovering over me as I hovered on the edge.

"Eric" I moaned

"Yes?" he smiled with sweet curiosity but his fingers brushed over the wetness between my legs.

"I need … I need you Eric" I gasped as his fangs grazed along my neck.

"Try again, Lover" he said gently holding my hips firmly to the bed as I squirmed trying to rub against him.

"I want you." I said as his tongue flicked into the hollow of my throat.

"Closer, Lover." he smiled against my skin

"I … I …" his face was suddenly over mine again, his expression so open, so guileless, "I love you." I said. And he was glowing with triumph as his lips crashed into mine, his thumb rubbed against me and his fingers plunged deep. I was swept away before I had even drawn breath.

As I came to my senses his face was hovering over mine again, as my eyes focused on his, he grinned wickedly.

"I know." he said and then disappeared between my legs. Before I could utter a sound his tongue ran up the full length of my folds and my knees spread further apart as I pushed up against his face. I called out in a long groan, as his tongue licked again and again, then his mouth went to work in earnest and I was lost all over again. I was only vaguely aware when his fangs punctured the inside of my thigh as his fingers curled up inside me and wave after wave of pleasure ravished my body.

Then he was sliding up my body, rubbing all of him against all of me. I wanted to reach down and guide him, but he was already in, burying himself in me. In my sensitive state I felt my walls contract around him. A growl sounded in his throat as he pulled back and delved again. He increased the pace slowly and my fingers grasped at him, his eyes were holding mine in an iron grip and his arms crushed me to him. I could feel his climax building and I opened the bond to pour all my love through to him, I was beyond words but I knew he would hear me this way. He called out in that ancient language pushing so far into me I thought I be split in two, though my own climax made me more than willing to be so.

He collapsed on top of me as I ran my fingers down his back. The shock that went through him was almost enough to send me over again. He nuzzled my neck and wrapped me tight in is arms. After a moment he rolled over, bringing me with him, so I was laying across his chest. I traced patterns across his smooth firm skin as my breathing returned to normal.

"You know, that was wicked of you." I said, failing to scold due to the big grin on my face.

"It was." he acknowledged, "But you know that about me, in fact that is why you l…" I put my hand over his mouth before his could finish. He laughed and licked my fingers. Then he took one into his mouth to suck gently, pricking the tip with his fangs as he went and making a contented purr as he tasted my blood.

But he wasn't done.

"Surely it is not so hard to …" This time I interrupted him.

"Not so hard?" I asked, I had noticed a twitch as he suckled my finger, "Well I'll see what I can do about that." I smiled up at him and slid down the bed.

I was quite pleased to learn I was just as capable of making my Viking clench, gasp and moan without the silver chains, but my bedding would need to be thrown out after he accidentally shredded it as I sucked and stroked him to completion. When he came, he broke the bedside table. Though at least he grabbed that rather than me.

I was laying sprawled across him, our legs, arms and hair entangled, some time later when he kissed my hair and started speaking in soft tones.

"You aren't going to tell me what you and Henry were talking about?"

"No."

"I could smell magic, and I could feel … strong emotions … I thought they were for him at first, but when you spoke of him you didn't feel them. So then I thought maybe there was someone else, and you were talking about it with Henry."

"I was talking about someone else with Henry."

"Yes. Me! I realised that later." smug Viking "But that is not why Henry came to talk to you."

"No it isn't. But I can't tell you what we talked about. I don't want secrets between us and I won't lie to you, but I can't tell you what was said. It's not for me to say."

Eric was quiet for a while

"It wasn't just Felipe." he said obscurely

"What?"

"When I didn't call you. It wasn't just because of Felipe."

"Then why? I mean you were right, I could have called too, but …"

"I was angry with you." I just nodded. He had a right to be, I figured. "When I got my memory back, when I realised what we were, what we had been. Sookie you told me we had sex, lots of sex, but you never said … I thought you had no right to keep that from me, that it was wrong of you. I wanted to punish you."

"I'm sorry. I should have told you. But to be honest, I really didn't think you'd like that part, I thought it would make you mad, and it was painful to even think about it."

"I understood that later. After you had gone. I remembered what you said in that nasty little rental of Sam's when I asked you about us. I realised what you had given up so that I could be myself again. That you did it, even though it hurt you. I remembered what I felt from you all those months and was finally able to make sense of it. You should have told me, but I understand why you did not, and I did not make it easy for you."

"But you remember it all now."

"Yes. As you were happy to exploit in the compound. Hmmm, in fact I am building quite the collection of memories with you."

"Won't Pam be here soon."

"Ha! Well you are right, but you will not be able to avoid me on this forever."

Pam knocked on the door while Eric was in the shower. I had been a little worried about the clothes she was bringing but as it turned out the outfit was not far from the sort of thing I'd often worn around Bon Temps. Pam carefully put my hair up so I looked mature and sensible. The dress was soft and pretty while being modest so I looked like the girl next door all grown up. I wore subtle make-up and minimal jewellery all of which was directed by Pam.

When we got to the AVL offices a young (looking) woman vampire met us and directed Eric upstairs while instructing me to follow her. I was half expecting an interview room like the ones in cop shows, with two-way glass and hard plastic chairs, but the room she led me to had two small but comfortable sofas and a table against the wall with coffee and cookies on it.

"May I get you anything Miss...?"

"Stackhouse, Sookie Stackhouse" Eric had insisted I had to use my real name, especially as part of the point in doing this was to hold Felipe off. "Coffee please." I said as she directed me to sit on one of the sofas. She brought me a coffee over with a cookie and sat opposite me. I was surprised she would serve me but then I realised that the main job of the AVL was to convince humans that vampires were just like them, so I figured it was part of the act.

"No need to be nervous Miss Stackhouse, I am Judy Ablewhite, we just have to clarify your version of events. With so much press surrounding this event, and several important issues coming up in Congress, we just need to be certain of our facts. I am sure you understand."

"Of course. I was a supporter of the Vampire Rights Amendment long before I met Eric." She beamed at me, but I was just telling the truth.

"So tell me what happened to you."

I ran through being taken by the fellowship from the moment I went onto the balcony to when Eric arrived to save me making it seem like they had targeted me simply because I knew vampires.

"Now, you and Mr Northman are in a relationship, is that correct?"

I cringed internally, he'd got me to say how I feel, but I still wasn't sure what exactly our 'relationship' was. Thanks to years of practice schooling my face I was able to ensure my uncertainty didn't show.

"Yes." I kept it simple so I didn't give anything away with my voice.

"Can you tell me the nature of your relationship? What are your feelings for Mr Northman?"

Well if I knew that I'd be a lot better off. I tried to stick to the truth, if not the whole truth. I hoped Eric wasn't outside the door listening.

"Against my better judgement, I guess I love him." she raised her eyebrows asking for more clarification. "He's a powerful character and can be overwhelming. He can be very high-handed on occasion. But then he has also been very sweet and kind to me at times. He has always been there when I needed him. Plus he's honest with me, sadly that's something I haven't had a lot of in my life, Eric tells me the truth. Well mostly, he tries to anyhow, he's still a man after all."

Judy laughed at that as I'd hoped she would, I didn't want to be too mushy and besides I could recall a few times, early in our acquaintance, he'd been less than honest with me.

"I understand he is very good in bed also, far beyond the normal for a vampire." Judy said with a smile.

I really didn't know what to say to that. He was good, a little too good in a way, but I wasn't about to discuss it with a complete stranger. I decided to change the subject.

"We also have a blood-bond."

"I see, and you have been bonded for how long?"

"Er, just over a year. We were bonded in September of last year."

"You're from Louisiana?"

"Yes."

"Was Katrina the motivation in your Bonding?"

"It certainly had a role in leading us to it." I was trying to stay as honest as I could, but Eric had said not to raise the issue of Rhodes unless I had to.

"Have you exchanged blood since the initial bonding?"

"Yes M'am." too much in my book, how did I keep letting that happen?

"How recent was your last exchange?"

"Yesterday." I mumbled, I was blushing furiously remembering the ceiling. I was sure the blood I had swallowed had been a mix of both his and mine.

I had looked down in my embarrassment and I glanced back up at her. She was smiling at me indulgently.

"Well Miss Stackhouse, I think that is everything I need. I just need to go and complete some paperwork, I will have my assistant Mandy come and take you up to Mr Northman." and she was gone.

Mandy was a human and very cheerful. She chatted away about how nice vampires were and how she couldn't understand why people were prejudice, when really they weren't that different from everyone else, and in fact nicer than many humans she'd met. She didn't know there were a whole bunch of small holes in her head from being glamoured regularly.

Eric smiled at me as I was brought into a room entirely made of glass with a big table in the middle surrounded by chairs. It looked like a board room in a film. I smiled back at him and Mandy introduced me to Louise, who sat me forcefully in a chair next to Eric and offered me more coffee which I accepted. Then she sat opposite us, which considering the size of the table put her a long way off. She didn't speak so I dipped into her head and discovered she was in a bad mood because she was on her period so all the vampires kept sniffing at her and she wished they'd get this over with so she could go for the day.

Eric reached under the table and placed his hand over both of mine which were in my lap. I remembered him doing that a long time ago in my kitchen back in Bon Temps when Bill went missing. I remembered how I thought he might crush all my fingers. I turned my hand up to hold his. As if he had read my thoughts Eric leaned over and whispered in my ear.

"I told you that you wouldn't always be so afraid of me." He sounded so pleased with himself I couldn't help but laugh. Then I remembered what else he had said and decided to deflect before he could mention it.

"Well just don't start rubbing yourself all over me like a cat again, there are people present." He looked completely shocked and I laughed out loud startling Louise who had been lost in thought.

"A cat?" Eric was trying to look offended but I could see he was amused and I laughed harder.

"Sorry to interrupt." Judy was back. A whole bunch of humans and vampires filed into the room behind her and sat at the table. Eric rubbed soothing circles on the back of my hand with his thumb. He leant down and kissed my temple.

"We have a few more questions for you both." Judy smiled gently at us.

"So Sookie, why don't you tell me how you two met." she looked at me expectantly. I didn't know what the story was suppose to be, I decided to go with the truth, well in part at least.

"Eric owns a bar near where I live. I first met him when I went in with a friend one night."

"This is the vampire bar, Fangtasia?" her tone was encouraging but I thought she was wondering if I was a fang-banger.

"Yes, it is. I only went in because of some trouble where I live. Eric was kind enough to help me."

"Trouble?" She was genuinely curious now.

"Yes a man, a human, was hurting women in the area that were known to have associations with vampires. Luckily we were able to discover who it was and stop him." She was really pleased with this information, vampires helping to save humans from other humans was good PR.

"It was Sookie that caught him." Eric piped up before Judy could get too excited. "At great personal risk. Sadly she was hurt during the confrontation, it was very traumatic for her." Eric's tone made it clear we should move to another topic. I squeezed his hand gratefully. I didn't want to go into the details, though I suspected there was something about it he didn't want them to know also, maybe it was that I'd been dating Bill at the time. Judy was looking back and forth between us, suspecting something wasn't being said. I reminded myself we were here to show we were a couple so that Eric wouldn't be put on trial for hurting humans when he came to save me.

"Eric was very kind, and sent me the most interesting flower arrangement while I was recovering in hospital." I said pulling a face at him. Eric laughed and Judy seemed satisfied by our interaction.

"So the events of this week are not your first encounter with intolerance Sookie. Mr Northman do you find you often have to fight to protect Sookie?" I could tell she was worried that letting him off this time might backfire if he was to hurt someone else next week.

Eric laughed charmingly and I saw her aggressive stance slip, Eric could charm just about anyone, human or vampire.

"Not at all, I wouldn't want you to get the wrong idea, especially about Sookie." Eric transferred my hands into his left hand and move his right arm round my waist protectively.

"She has been residing here in California without you, can you explain that?" Judy was working down a list of some sort.

"She is very protecting and brave. If people she cares about are threatened, and she sees vampires as people the same as humans, her instinct is to defend them. This has led to more than one encounter with the fellowship and people that think like them. She came to California to take some rest after several unpleasant incidents involving both humans and vampires. We are hoping things will be quieter for her now and she is returning to her home."

"You and Miss Stackhouse, don't live together normally though as I understand it." the frown on Judy's face indicated she thought this would be a problem.

"We do not." Eric answered smoothly, "Sookie does not feel it would be right to live together without a wedding recognised by the State, one she could share with her family and friends, and I respect her values." I thought this was a good answer as they couldn't ask us to change our living arrangements without a change in the law first.

"Well I think we have enough" said Judy, she looked round the room and got several nods "We just need you to sign some forms and we'll be done." Eric let go of my hand and started reading the papers she had handed him. He had picked them up and I couldn't see what they said. Judy put another form in front of me.

"This is just a written record of your private interview, we'll need you to sign it to say it is a true record." She said putting a sheet if paper in front of me. I noticed Eric glance over clearly wanting to know what I had said about him, and tilted the page so he couldn't read it. He flashed me a grin.

The rest of the people left so it was just Judy, Eric and I in the room.

"Fantastic job. Your answer about the living arrangements was so perfect I might use it in the press conference." Said Judy. The mood in the room had shifted and I felt like I was missing something. I realised we'd just put on a performance for the rest of the crowd and that we could drop now that it was just us. Then Judy's words sunk in.

"I'm sorry, the press conference?" I asked. Eric started rubbing my arm and pushing calm through the bond.

"Yes, I arranged it with Mr Northman earlier tonight. We need you both present for a press-conference regarding the Fellowship's actions against vampires and humans. Don't worry, you don't need to say anything, just stand in the background and look upset about the whole thing while Mr Northman comforts you. You make an attractive couple it will be quite the visual." She grabbed the papers we had signed and started to the door.

A press conference, what? But then it made sense. I mean, both Eric and I had been victims of the fellowship and he had been instrumental in stopping them and had already been on TV saving the school-girls. Plus as a vampire-human couple we were great PR for the AVL. Eric was watching me closely to see what I would do, his arm was still around me. I figured if he thought it was OK it must be, but I didn't really like the idea and I wish he'd given me more warning.

"Fine." I huffed. I shot him an unfriendly look and started to get up. I was desperately hoping it was only local news, the last thing I needed was more attention.

"I don't think you need to act upset until we go into the press room." Said Eric with a smile as he stood behind me.

"Who said anything about acting?" I grumbled. I followed Judy down the hall to a door at the end. She stopped before going through.

"Oh, and you should wear this." she shoved a ring on my hand "Relax, you'll be fine." and with that she shoved me through the door.

I couldn't see anything and I couldn't hear over the wave of noise that bombarded me. I felt Eric grab my hand and rub soothing circles with his thumb. He leant down and kissed my temple pushing strength and love through the bond.

I was blinded by flashing lights and deafened by people screaming questions. There had to be a hundred members of the press there, all taking photo's or filming, and all asking questions at once. This in itself might have overwhelmed me but the thoughts took it to a whole new level. It was like everyone in the room was a really strong broadcaster, probably because they were all trying to get their question answered so they were reaching out, mentally as well, trying to get noticed. The thoughts were all about the Fellowship plot so I was bombarded with images of tortured vampires; of murdered fang-bangers; of grimy cells with blood-soaked floors; decapitated bodies; scared, crying school-girls; grieving families; angry fellowship members, death, dying, torture, fear, sadness, anger, over and over. Eric could feel my distress and wrapped his arms around me holding me tight against him and pouring soothing into my ear and through the bond. Drawing on his strength I started to put up my shields bit by bit.

By the time I had managed to shield enough to take in what was happening, things had calmed down. Judy was answering questions and most people were focused on her, though several were still taking photo's of Eric and I. I tried to focus on what Judy was saying.

"Normally, of course Vampires are careful to not harm humans, or indeed anyone, but Mr Northman may have been a little less cautious than usual in his concern for his wife. He has expressed regret for that, and we are all glad that no one sustained serious damage. I think most people can understand a man getting a little, shall we say 'heated'" she laughed, oh ha ha, a heated vampire, "when the object of his affection has been harmed by others." A rumble went through the crowd. Well they certainly thought so.

Eric kissed the top of my head. Wait what did she just say. 'Wife'!

"Of course their relationship sadly is still not supported by our great Nation. It has been recognised and ratified by the AVL but sadly not their own State. It is very hard, on Sookie especially. She has said she wishes for a ceremony that she can share with her family and friends, and that will be recognised by her community. She has good Christian values and will not live with Mr Northman without it. He of course respects her values. The AVL is greatly saddened that two people in love should be kept from one another in this way and wish to state, on record, that our community is willing to support them even if the wider one does not. As far as we are concerned they are married."

The bastard had set me up. The AVL had declared us married and then announced it to the press. I knew Eric had known all about this, had probably planned it. That's what the interviews and paperwork were about, not some damn trial. Eric had lied, and got me some form of married to him. I was beyond livid. I was betrayed again. I let myself love him, I open myself to him and the first thing he does is this. He hadn't even said he loved me, not that I'd expected him to, but now this. Why wasn't he ever holding a stake to his chest when I needed him to.

I wanted to have a go at him but he had his arms so tight around me I could barely breathe. Let alone speak. In my fury my less than stellar shields failed and the images started pouring in on me again. My legs were no longer supporting me but Eric's hold kept me in place. He was still shushing and kissing my head. Angry tears ran down my face and I reached up to wipe them away. As I did, the ring that Judy had forced on my hand caught the light and the photographers started snapping away again. I had forgotten it was there in the shock of the press-room. Of course I understood what it was about now. I wanted to take it off, to throw it across the room, but Eric's hold was too tight and my other hand wasn't free.

Then I was being half carried from the room by Eric. It was such a relief when the door closed behind me shutting out the noise, the lights and much of the thoughts. I shook myself (as much as I could in Eric's firm embrace) and closed my eyes for a moment trying to clear the images from my head.

I opened them again to note that Judy was with us.

"You were both wonderful, if that doesn't get a marriage amendment I don't know what will. Tears and everything! Absolutely wonderful." Judy was clearly delighted "Our lawyers will take care of the charges against you regarding the human injuries sustained during the rescue. I doubt you'll hear any more about it. Here are the papers referring to the AVL's recognition of your relationship." She handed him a folder "Best of luck." and she was gone.

Eric lifted me up and was out the door and into the sky before I could catch my breath. I thought about pitching the folder out to sea but I couldn't work out what Eric had done with it. A few minutes later he set us down on a patch of beach some distance from any housing but not that far from my apartment. I pulled away from him immediately.

"I am sorry." He started, I looked up, surprised. Eric was apologising? Was it a mistake after all? Maybe the AVL had insisted he play along with it or something. "I did not think about the press with your gift, I should have insisted on a private interview, away from the crowd. Are you all right?" It took me a minute to work out what he was talking about, I was so distracted by the whole marriage thing.

"Oh, it was fine, well it wasn't but I managed to get enough shields up to make it bearable. Of course I might have been able to do a better job on my shield if I wasn't in shock from discovering I've apparently just got MARRIED." my voice was vagarious, I glared at him.

"Sookie, calm down." he was actually took a step back from my advance "Nothing has changed, except the AVL are now 'witness' to my ..." my eyes flashed and he amended what he was going to say "... to our bond. It provides protection from Felipe. He cannot touch you now without going up against the whole AVL." he grinned.

"But we're not actually married?" Felipe was really not the issue I was concerned with here.

"Yes, we are." he kept his face blank but I could feel happiness through the bond.

"You lied to me."

"I did not lie. I may have omitted to mention some things, but I did not lie."

"And you didn't think this was something I needed to know beforehand? Something I should have a say in?"

"I didn't think you would agree. You are so stubborn and in denial about your feelings for me. I could not afford you going off at the AVL, you would probably have turned a powerful ally into an enemy. I have told you before that I will protect you, and I will, even from yourself" he was trying to sound like he was angry and it was my fault I hadn't been told, but he was just so damn happy about this.

"No, Eric! Just, no! We are not married. That thing, with the AVL" I was running through the events in my head. "You! You set this whole thing up! How long have you been planning this?" He had, I could see it on his face, and he was proud of it. Oh this was beyond the pale.

My hands clutched at the air by my sides as I imagined having that stake back. Eric looked like he was just waiting for me to get over it. I took a deep breath "It doesn't matter. We are NOT married. That was not a wedding. It was a brief meeting in which I told a bunch of lies. Weddings start with one person asking the other for one thing, I remember quite distinctly that I was not asked anything." Eric took a step towards me ending my rant. He tried to keep his voice even.

"I realise that human marriages work somewhat differently Sookie, but the fact is according to vampire law we are married, and in a way we have been married since Rhodes. What did you think our blood-bond was?" He was getting angry now, well about time.

"Fine, then I want a divorce."

Eric looked hurt for a fraction of a second but then he smiled.

"Well you can't have one. Among the vampire community marriage has a minimum duration of one hundred years. You can petition for divorce after that. But it still wouldn't end the bond."

"One hundred years. Hello, not a vampire."

"Well that is up to you, of course. But you participated, you accepted my blood, in fact I remember quite vividly you taking my blood entirely of your own accord not so long ago after giving me yours when I was not in a position to refuse. Then you signed the paperwork confirming our bond and your love for me. Besides what do you think the AVL will do if you go to them and say you lied after they have made a public announcement supporting our relationship? Especially as you did not lie, I saw what you said and I know it is the truth. The deed is done and cannot be undone."

"Well you had better damn well find a way to make it undone."

"No. Besides even if there were a way, which there isn't, I don't want a divorce. I want to be married to you."

"You, what?" Well that sure took the wind out of my sails "What do you mean you want to be married to me?" I asked uncertainly, I had been on such an emotional roller-coaster all night I just couldn't take any more "Why …" but Eric was kissing me. He was just so good at it. It was infuriating. And indecently pleasurable.

He was flooding the bond with his happiness and desire. I could feel warmth spreading through my body and a wetness between my legs. Damn him.

"I mean." he whispered huskily, when he stopped to let me breath "I want to be married to you. Just accept it. Why do you fight me so hard Sookie?" but he didn't let me respond, he was kissing me again. I could have got lost in him as his lips moved expertly against mine. But I was still so angry, and scared, and for some strange reason disappointed. Stupidly I started to cry. Eric pulled back.

"Sookie." he said exasperatedly "You have already accepted you are mine, what is the problem?"

"I have done no such thing." I said shocked.

"Yes, you have. I gave you a choice. Be mine or stake me. I have not been staked therefore you are mine. Plus you have finally admitted you love me." he was very smug about this.

"I … but … Eric, that's not fair, I wasn't going to stake you."

"And why is that?"

"Because … well …" I still had tears in my eyes, Jesus I was sick of crying, Eric kissed them away.

"Because?" he said softly

"I … I just couldn't do it."

"But why couldn't you do it Sookie?"

"Because … you would be dead … finally dead I mean … I couldn't bare it" I said finally, looking down. "Even when I hate you, or when I'm scared of you, I hate even the thought of anything happening to you." Eric was licking the tears that were now pouring down my face and rubbing my back "I do love you, that's what you want to hear right? But can't you understand that I want my life to be my own? That I hate being manipulated or forced into things."

"There are some things we do not get a choice in. I have not changed our essential relationship, I have simply had it formally recognised for what it is, which is to our advantage considering Felipe and Victor. What is it you think you are losing by accepting being mine?"

"Hu?" OK not the most eloquent response but I really had no idea what he was talking about in terms of not having a choice.

"You are mine Sookie, whatever either of us do, that is a done deal. But it is not the full deal. I am also yours. That's a done deal too." he didn't sound entirely happy about it which made me think he was telling the truth. I lifted my eyes to look at him. He looked right back at me. There was no deception in his eyes, no teasing or trickery. The raw openness of his gaze was panoptic. We stood, staring into each others eyes for a long time. All my anger and fear seemed to melt away and there was just calm and contentment.

All my life I had wanted to belong but hadn't, and here was someone offering me that belonging and I was fighting it. Eric had never asked me to be anything but myself. Being 'his' didn't necessarily have mean losing myself. It was just so hard to believe that this amazing creature before me would want me. I couldn't understand why he would bother, especially after all the trouble I have caused him. Some of which I still had to find out about. But that did seem to be what he was saying, that he wanted me. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing being his, and if he tried to pull any of his ordering me around crap I'd just order him right back, after all he had said he was mine right.

When we had been stood for a long time Eric finally added

"After all, isn't that what a marriage is?" and flashed me a wicked grin. I swung my hand back to swat him playfully but he caught it and lifted me to kiss me, pulling my legs round his waist and tipping forward slightly so I had to cling on so as not to fall. Which meant I was completely wrapped around him when I heard a gagging sound behind me followed by Henry's voice.

"Leave them alone Pam, they are newly-weds." I pulled away but Eric wouldn't put me down.

"Urgh! You don't have to live with them. Honestly Henry you should try a month in Shreveport you'll soon see."

"I think I might do that. I suspect it will be an interesting place to be in the next few weeks. Besides I haven't been released from my obligation yet." he smiled at me, his eyes were twinkling.

Eric dropped me gently to the ground. "What obligation?" he asked with an edge to his voice.

"Sorry old chap, I am not at liberty to reveal that."

"Sookie?" Eric turned to me.

"I really couldn't say."

"I think you could say."

"I truly couldn't" I said putting my hand reassuringly on his chest. "Eric, I will not lie to you. I may omit mentioning some things, but I won't lie." Pam laughed at that, clearly recognising it as something Eric had said.

"I think, Mrs Northman, we need to work on our communication." Eric grinned back at me and I scowled.

"Clearly, for a start don't call me that. I'll put up with the AVL thing because of Felipe but I only just got my real name back, I'm not taking another fake one." Pam laughed again, and Eric looked exasperated. I did understand what Eric had said about us being each others but no matter how much I loved him, I wasn't about to accept a marriage I'd had no say in, to man I hadn't even been on date with. Unless you count kidnapping, torture and blood exchanging a date – which come to think of it he probably did – but still it wasn't a proper marriage as far as I was concerned, and I certainly wasn't taking his name.

"Well, we should plan for your return. Will you be bringing much from here?" Pam had switched to practical mode so quickly it took me a second to catch up.

"The furniture is all rented with the apartment, so just clothes and stuff."

I took Eric's hand and we started back towards the house planning how we were going to transport everything. I was going home.

~ The End ~

Acknowledgement – obviously the whole 'omitting' line is a play on Ms Harris' 'I may not tell you everything I know..." line. I wanted to use it but it came after the point at which I broke from the books.

Mass Kudos to Ms Harris for creating such a wonderful world and such vibrant characters.

I am already planning a follow up to answer the questions I didn't get to in this story. What Felipe has done to Eric being the big one. Will the course of love run smooth? Well it's unlikely to be honest, with two such stubborn and antagonistic characters but there is lots of fun to be had too. It will pick up where this one leaves off.

Thank you everyone who has read my story and big thanks and virtual hugs to those of you kind enough to comment. There will be a bit of a delay before I start posting the next story as I won't have access to the internet for a week or two, but I promise I will be working on it.