Disclaimer: Most characters belong to Charlaine Harris.

I am sorry it has taken so long to get this to you, I really wanted to get it right. I have combined the whole lot into one chapter which is why it has taken so much longer but I hope you will enjoy it.

This chapter was really hard to write, for several reasons. Partly because it is the final chapter of the story, but also because … well you'll see.

Please don't kill me for this, *hides behind the couch*.

Warning – This chapter makes reference to sexual violence. There is not too much detail but there are some explicit references. The paragraphs that contain this part of the story are at the end of the italicized section and between two % markers if you wish to avoid them.

Sookie POV

Eric had been in Vegas for more than a week.

I had wanted to go with him but he'd said he didn't want me anywhere near Felipe. Originally he was only supposed to be gone three nights, so when he didn't return on the forth night, I made up my mind to set off after him.

That's when I discovered my guard. Henry and Pam were there to stop me from leaving Louisiana at night and Amelia, Tray and Claudine were splitting the day shifts. No reasoning, insisting, demanding, begging or anything else I could come up with got them to change their minds. Whatever was happening with Eric, they were making sure I stayed home.

I discovered all this after I made a dash to my car when arguing the point wasn't working. You just can't outrun vampires. I'd slipped straight out the front door after a trip to the toilet, taking advantage of the distracting sexual tension between the four members of my guard that were at that moment sat in my kitchen (only Claudine was missing). The second I started the car Henry was in front of it and Pam was dragging me back inside.

They'd explained about their orders and Amelia had threatened to cast a ward that kept me in the house. Then we'd all sat in the living room. Just waiting. Silently. For the rest of the night. Eric had finally called just before dawn, remarking casually that he was needed in Vegas longer and not to worry, but I could feel the dangerous undercurrents hidden beneath his calm surface, he was keeping things from me.

He'd phoned again the next night, more than once – first thing when he woke, saying he was fine (I could feel the determination chiselling his words), then again later in the night when I was arguing with Henry and Pam, and chucking Gran's silver at them. He said he was just checking I hadn't staked anyone. The second call calmed me enough to stop throwing things as it obviously wasn't scheduled; Eric had chosen to call and been able to. Even so, I hated Eric being there by himself especially since, in his unguarded moments, I knew he was very worried, and on more than one occasion sad.

I had tried suggesting to Pam and Henry that one of them should go if I couldn't. They insisted we all had to stay, and besides, keeping me from going was a job that required all of them. Henry said Eric would let him know if he needed help and until then we had to trust him.

I suspected he planned to trade on my inside line to Eric – a 'Sookie alert', to monitor the situation in Nevada. I decided to test my theory by telling Henry that something was clearly very wrong with Eric, I could feel it, and we should go. He looked geared for action for a moment but then fired off a text. The reply got me a chiding look and a head shake. Then Henry just asked if I wanted to go out for dinner to take my mind off things. Of course – there was a Pam alert too.

I had no luck with the rest of my guard either. Claudine said she had no sense of me in Vegas, therefore I was clearly not meant to go. Fairies have a kind of precognition, I don't really understand it, but from how she tried to explain it, it sounded a bit like trusting your gut. She said 'if' I was going to Nevada she would have a sense of whether that trip would go well or badly, as she had no sense, I was clearly not going to go. I tried to point out that if she 'let' me go she might 'get' a sense of it but she changed the subject with an intimate question about Henry that was so disturbing I was completely distracted.

Amelia had gone over the top to ensure I couldn't get round her. She had actually asked Eric to glamour her into doing what he said so that I couldn't convince her otherwise. I knew there was part of her that regretted this after Eric didn't come home on time, but his glamour was too strong for her to do anything but follow orders.

It wasn't that I didn't understand what Henry said about trusting Eric but I knew that Eric would sacrifice himself to keep me safe no matter what he had told Henry. Hey, if everything was so fine why was he hiding things from me?

The next night I'd curled up on the couch staring blankly at the pages of a book while reaching out for the pulse of our bond and checking my phone for messages every thirty seconds. A stab of burning pain just under my ribcage shocked through me, it was so bad I had actually cried out. I knew Eric would have blocked it if he could; the fact that he hadn't be able to made me panic. Pam was worried too and I suspected Eric had commanded her to stillness since she lost the ability to speak or move for a while.

Henry looked tense but insisted we had to wait until we heard from Eric. He'd had to tie me to a chair eventually (after receiving another nasty teapot-shaped silver burn). In desperation he called Claudine to sedate me until Eric could call. Henry kept Pam in his bedroom while Claudine laid her hands on my head. I felt myself become calm. Logically I knew I was still worried, and angry, and desperate to get my husband back home, but I wasn't able to feel any of it. I'd have felt furious if I could have.

Despite the bucket of calm that had been poured into my brain, it was still way too long before the phone rang. Once again, Eric insisted he was OK, there was nothing to worry about. He apologised for letting me feel his pain, and even forced a laugh at the fact I'd been tied to a chair and sedated, but I knew that wasn't what was really going on. I got more and more determined to go get him. I was just going to have to be sneakier; WWED – what would Eric do?

I'd already spent 3 days pacing, being dragged back inside by Tray, bouncing off invisible shields thanks to Amelia and finding I was curled up on the couch when I could have sworn I'd been headed across the cemetery a second ago, thanks to Claudine (I still wasn't sure how she did that). I'd had 3 nights of Pam and Henry watching my every move, and Gran's silver was now packed away in a box in Amelia's room.

As of tonight Eric would be five nights overdue and I wasn't staying put any longer. I hadn't felt anything at all from him since the pain incident (I could feel he was there, but that was all) and he hadn't called again. Plus the circumstances were right and I might not get another chance. Pam had stayed over and was tucked in the hidey hole with Henry. Amelia wanted to go out with Tray the moment the sun set and their shift was over.

While Amelia was in the shower I chatted to Tray 'casually' about the mess of wood left after Victor tried to drop a tree on me. Tray immediately offered to split and stack some for me, bless him. Keeping my shields open to monitor my day guards, I snuck into the spare room. I made sure the window was well covered and cautiously pulled up the panel in the floor of the closet. Using the covered silver chains I had gotten to use on Eric, I roped Pam and Henry firmly together. I apologised to their still forms, passing a kiss from my lips to Pam's forehead with my fingers, before covering them back up.

Late in the day, while taking Henry's clean clothes in to put on his bed, I pressed the play button on the tape recorder I'd hidden under the quilt and hoped I'd gotten the timing right. I went back to sit in the living room with a book.

"The sun's just set if you want to go, I'd hate to make you late for your reservation," I said to Amelia. They had a table booked at an exclusive restaurant. They had offered to cancel but we had all agreed there wasn't anything to be gained by them staying home and stressing with me. If we heard anything we could call them.

"We're not going anywhere until I know Pam and Henry are up," she said dutifully but I knew she was anxious to get on the road. The tension in the house was getting to her and she was looking forward to getting away from it for a bit. Right on cue Pam and Henry's voices came through the door discussing the various pros and cons of medieval weaponry. "Oh great. Well have a nice night," called Amelia already half out the door towing Tray behind her.

"Have fun," I called after them.

I went into the spare room and turned the recording off. They'd had the conversation last night while I was 'sulking' on the couch. There wasn't any noise from the closet, but then Eric had slept late when I'd chained him. Only my fairy guard was unaccounted for, but I knew Claudine wouldn't be watching during the night, and even if she suspected something, wouldn't risk coming because of Pam.

I waited 5 minutes to be sure Amelia and Tray hadn't forgotten anything then ran to my room to pack every conceivable weapon I had that I thought would get through airport security – they might look sideways at the silver handcuffs but they weren't against the law. I was being watched too closely to have packed earlier. OK, in my car and on the road within half an hour. As I drove towards the airport I realised I really didn't have a plan beyond getting on a plane. I'd been so focused on getting away that I'd hadn't thought further ahead.

I wasn't going back without Eric but I would have to be careful. He wouldn't thank me if I got us both trapped in Vegas. I needed to think. I opened the window of my car, the wind felt like new freedom on my face.

It might be better to get a flight to somewhere near Vegas and get a rental. Maybe, that way I could come in under the radar. It would be better than flying straight into Felipe's territory. If I got there during daylight, hopefully I could listen in to some of the King's humans. I continued to plot as I drove, trying to think of every risk, every danger. Eric wouldn't block me so completely unless something was really wrong, though of course the distance helped. I didn't try to feel for him as I had all last night, it was too depressing. I'd reach for him again when I got on the plane.

I'd gotten a spot in long term parking and was still going through the maybes and might could'ves as I headed towards the terminal. I felt a shadow pass over me. With a swirl of wind and a thwump a vampire landed in front of me looking pretty pissed off. I screamed.

I ran straight at him and jumped, wrapping my arms and legs round him. He caught me, laughing despite himself. After kissing him pretty darn thoroughly I pulled my head back and smacked every part of him I could without letting go with my legs.

"You pig! Why didn't you tell me you were coming back? Do you know how worried I've been? You were supposed to be home days ago. You didn't call me last night. And I haven't felt anything from you." I continued punching him though there really wasn't much strength in my punches (not that I could have hurt him if there were).

He ignored my flailing hands and looked sternly at me.

"What are you doing at the airport?" He asked.

"Coming to get you of course." There would be no point in lying about it but I had no intention of doing so in any case. It's what he would have done if our roles were reversed – except it probably wouldn't have taken him so long to get away from the others. "You didn't expect me to sit home if I thought you were in danger?"

"Of course not, which is why I arranged for your guard." Which reminded me.

"I can't believe you glamoured Amelia," I thumped him on the chest again. I could feel he was getting turned on as I wiggled in his arms trying to get a better swing without letting go of him. I was too unravelled with relief to stop my tirade. "And poor Pam, I know she wanted to check on you too …" he cut me off with another kiss, preventing me getting to the whole host of other issues I wanted to raise. He continued with enthusiasm until I was completely breathless so he could have his say.

"Amelia asked me to glamour her and 'poor Pam' is extremely pissed off at the moment. What did you do to her? And where is Henry?" I looked down.

"They're at the house," I mumbled. Now I knew Eric was OK I felt pretty bad about chaining Pam and Henry together with silver and wasn't looking forward to facing them. Eric was amused and when I glanced at him his lips were twitching.

"All of them?" He asked. I was confused for a moment.

"Oh, no. Speaking of which," I started in on him again, "don't you think five guards, including two vampires, a Were, a witch and a fairy, was overkill for one little human?"

"Apparently not," he said quite seriously. I remembered where we where. Good point.

I was still wrapped around Eric, his hands supporting my butt, and neither one of us were inclined to change that, though we were getting a few curious glances from other travellers streaming across the concourse.

"Only Henry and Pam are at the house. Amelia is out with Tray for the night and Claudine isn't around in the evenings because of Pam." I settled down in his arms, my fingers stroking his neck causing a deep rumble in his chest.

"A point you decided to exploit I see," he said still trying to be stern but obviously proud. I grinned, I was a little proud myself.

"Well I knew my day watchers were more on guard since that was when you thought I'd be most likely to try something. No one seemed too worried at night seeing as you can feel me and they didn't think I could get past Pam and Henry." I started to explain to him how I plotted my escape.

I got about half way through before Eric catapulted us to a quiet corner off the airfield where he had me pinned up against a wall sans underwear before I could say ooof! Between the fact that it had been over a week since we'd seen each other and that Eric loved it when I was sneaky, he couldn't wait any longer. I wasn't about to say no either, I think he was feeding off the adrenalin still flooding my body.

I gripped and gasped as he pounded into me, a whole host of feelings and hormones flooding my stomach as he filled me with his body and his love. I bit him too when his fangs sank in, he had been blocking me too much, I needed to feel him as deeply as I could. Besides, I suspected I would have had some brush-burns if I hadn't.

Retrieving my car from long term parking would take too long so Eric flew us home saying he'd have Bobby deal with it in the morning. Stroking his face, I squinted against the wind so I could keep looking at him, so glad he was home and safe.

I heard an odd noise as we entered the house. Eric finally put me down and went straight over to open the spare room door. Pam and Henry had managed to get out of the hidey hole but not out of the chains. They were laying on the floor worming their bodies, trying to manoeuvre the padlocks to a point where one of them could reach.

They stopped moving as Eric opened the door and gave them a look that clearly demanded an explanation. Neither one said anything and he tch'ed and shook his head before bending to unchain them. I stayed hidden behind him. Henry looked embarrassed as he looked up at Eric who I knew was really enjoying this moment.

"Fine," Henry said when he was free. He pulled yesternight's jeans off the end of the bed and took a wad of notes from his pocket. He split the wad and gave the bigger stack to Eric. Eric looked very pleased as he pocketed the money. I didn't know whether to be offended that he'd bet on me or flattered that he'd at least bet in my favour, even over Henry.

Pam narrowed her eyes at Eric's smug expression.

"Well there's no need to look at us like that, it's not like she hasn't gotten the better of you in the past." Henry's face brightened at that thought. Pam turned to stare her daggers at me as well, but there was something insincere in her glare, she would have gone for Eric herself if she could have. Still, I wouldn't put it past her to come up with some kind of payback.

"I think I'll take a shower," I said quickly retreating backwards towards my bathroom. Eric grinned at me and his fangs zipped out. I made a mental note that I would probably have to buy a new shower curtain tomorrow. Pam turned to Henry and rolled her eyes.

"Well it looks like we're debriefing tomorrow night," he said. "Shall we go out? I find I've built up quite an appetite."

"Good idea, lets shock Amelia and her pup by glamouring our way into that restaurant of theirs," I heard her respond as Eric closed our bedroom door on them.

Eric explained to my breasts how Felipe had put him on a flight to New Orleans during the day and he had flown himself from there as soon as the sun set. He hadn't called because he was planning to surprise me. I was only half listening as I was busy struggling to get our clothes off. Eric decided to give a hand which meant nothing survived.

By the end of the night my lips were swollen, my body exhausted and I was fairly certain I'd be walking bow legged tomorrow but I really didn't care.

[~~~]

Eric insisted that he had not been treated badly while staying with the King, except for being kept longer than planned and occasionally deprived of his phone. I asked about his pain I'd felt and he looked embarrassed.

"I was caught off guard," was all he would say. It still wasn't clear why the King had 'invited' Eric (for invite read ordered on pain of final death). Eric said he had several theories but needed to learn more to be sure.

We knew that Mr Hansen had been sent because Victor had hinted that our relationship was not exactly as advertised and that with his new 'in' with the AVL it might be possible to separate us, putting my 'talents' directly at the King's disposal. After seeing us together and with Philippa Langdon, Hansen had reported back to Felipe and the King had told Victor to drop the whole idea.

Victor would be pissed and Eric suspected that his visit to the King was also designed to annoy the Regent. He arranged a meeting with Pam, Henry and Bill to discuss what we should do next and what security we should set up. The whole thing was made harder because officially nothing was going on. Plus, Eric's contacts at the AVL had told him that Victor was still pretty popular at the top, they didn't want to hear anything against him right now. It was more useful for them to have him as a hero.

Amelia was out with Tray again. I was beginning to think there was something more to the relationship than my room mate's usual flings. She was spending less time with Pam, and I 'heard' her regret that she'd never 'given Henry a go'. (I felt like I should be put off on his behalf at her viewing him like a fairground ride but then I knew he wouldn't be offended in the least.) Eric decided we should meet at Fangtasia, since it was closed tonight, so he and I could go to his place afterwards.

We were all sitting around the central table, where Eric often put himself on display, when everyone around me froze. In the next instant Bill had his back to the wall, Henry had 'faded' into a booth, Pam was behind the bar and Eric had positioned us both in the center of the room under a deliberately fitted, weak ceiling panel. He could burst through it if he needed to. I didn't know what had set them off, but anything that could cause my vamps to react like that was reason for an 'up, up and away' in my book.

I didn't bother to ask, if he could explain what was happening he would have done so already.

The door opened and a stream of vampires started to file in. They were all wearing the same thing, blue jeans and a red polo shirt with some kind of logo on the chest. They looked like frat boys (though some were girls) except they all carried big swords. After about six there was a gap, then Victor strolled through the door. After him the vamps just kept coming. I started to count the voids, keeping my eyes on Victor.

He was flicking his fingers slightly and I suspected he was positioning his minions. Four moved to stand before Bill, two facing him, two facing us in the center of the room. Four in front of the bar, same pattern, two facing Pam and two with their backs to her. Another two stood near the open end of the bar.

The rest of the red shirts spaced themselves around the room and focused on Eric and me. The last two covered the door. None of them so much as glanced at Henry, I made sure I didn't either.

Eric raised an eyebrow at Victor but Victor just smiled at him. Finally Eric spoke.

"To what do we owe the pleasure of you and your …" Eric looked disdainfully at the other vampires.

"My guard, they insisted on accompanying me. They seemed to think you could not be trusted, but I have told them you are most compliant with the requests of your superiors." Guard? There were at least 20 vampires standing around the room, they looked uneasy with their swords and held them awkwardly.

I didn't like anything about Victor's little speech. He was threatening Eric. I just wasn't sure what with.

"Now why don't you show them how compliant you are Eric. On your knees, if you please." I felt a rebellion inside Eric but he sank to his knees. I wanted to cling to him but I kept my back straight and my hands by my sides. I didn't kneel, I hadn't been asked to. Victor came forward and several of the guard moved in as well. His eyes were only on Eric and Eric pushed me to the side slightly, away from him.

Victor quickly moved between me and Eric forcing me further away from my husband. I kept my face blank and focused on my inner steel magnolia, sharing it with Eric. I could feel he was pleased.

"I've just had these swords made for my team. Lovely aren't they?" said Victor taking one from the nearest vampire and turning it in the dim light of the bar. "The blades have a coating of silver, to make them a little more effective. Like such." In a lightning movement, Victor swung the sword down towards Eric's head. I winced internally but held still. I trusted Eric, if he were in danger he'd move.

Victor stopped his swing as he touched Eric's neck leaving an angry silver burn but not cutting the skin. Eric didn't flinch.

"Bravo Mr Northman, and Mrs Northman too. Most impressive, both of you." He smiled broadly, he was too happy, this was not good.

Victor nodded to three guards stood behind Eric and they all moved forward. Holding him still with one hand each, they all pressed their blades against his neck, one on each side and the third reached over from behind holding the sharp edge under Eric's adam's apple. They pressed hard enough to burn but not cut as Victor had done. I knew the anger was showing in my eyes, it was all I could do to stop myself grabbing one of those swords and thrusting it into Victor. I held my place. Again, Eric didn't flinch. He looked bored but I knew he was furious.

"Pamela, a drink I think," said Victor. "My guard have fed so only for myself and your party."

"Certainly Mr Madden," said Pam politely, even as well as I knew her I could only just detect the hatred hidden in her words. She started to move around behind the bar.

"Oh and Mrs Northman." Victor had jumped theatrically as if he had forgotten I was there. His polite tone was marred by the way he sneered through my name.

"Nothing for me thank you." I wasn't as successful as Pam at keeping my anger from my voice, but I wasn't rude. All the same Victor's smile grew again as his eyes filled with loathing.

"I wasn't offering. The AVL may make a show for the public, but we are on my terms now and you should remember your place." I felt Eric's strength flow at me and was able to not even blink as Victor appeared right up in my face. "You should offer yourself to me." There was darkness in his voice. Eric's face hardened and I remained silent, I didn't trust myself to speak just then.

"Perhaps you need to learn a lesson from your husband in obedience, he has already agreed to give me anything I want, and I intend to take it."

Victor tipped his head to look at my neck but I got the feeling he was more interested in my reaction than actually biting me. I looked straight at him and kept my face impassive. I didn't believe for a moment Eric would give me to him, or that he'd ever agreed to do so.

"Well maybe later then." Victor's voice returned to that of gracious gentleman, and he pulled away from me. "Have a seat." He pushed me so hard and fast that I flew into one of the booths along the wall. His aim was precise and I landed safely on the cushioned seat with nothing bruised except my pride.

I felt the rubber-band of Eric's control flex to breaking point for a moment at what Victor had done. The tension of his anger eased after a moment but frustration continued to hum through to my blood at his inability to act.

"Oops. I guess I wasn't as gentle as I meant to be. Still she seems fine," said Victor glaring at Eric. It was like he was trying to goad him into an attack. I didn't know how Victor was so sure I was fine when he hadn't even looked at me, he was too busy judging Eric's reaction. Maybe it was the fact that Eric looked unmoved.

Appearances can be deceiving though. There was a ferocious battle going on inside Eric. He had tried to close our bond but I could still feel it. A rage beyond anything I could have imagined was at the heart of it.

I knew that Eric was using every second of his centuries accumulated control to stop himself from killing Victor. He had explained that politically it was a bad move to just kill the Regent but I knew that wasn't what was stopping him in this moment. He looked at me, his eyes burning, and I knew that he could not kill Victor, fight Victor's guards, and protect me. And that was what stayed his hand. I also knew he was running different scenarios through his mind and would come up with something.

From what I could tell, Eric would have to kill the three guards currently burning him with silver before he could go for Victor, that would give Victor a chance to either escape or come for me. Both Pam and Bill were under heavy guard too so that only left a 'diminished' Henry, to stand between me and Victor and the rest of his guards.

As I pushed myself up into a sitting position I felt something hard behind the cushions, which baffled me for a second. Then I realised what it was. Before I could do more, Victor was talking again.

"Well Eric. I have come to keep that appointment I told you about." He was standing suffocatingly close to his kneeling foe so that Eric's gaze had to skim the horizon of his torso to make eye contact. "But as we have already wasted some of the night we'll have a nice get together with your friends here then you and I'll get down to business tomorrow," he said gleefully.

Victor tipped his head and just seemed to observe Eric. I was grateful Pam was clinking bottles, it covered the thrumbing of my heart in the otherwise silent room. Victor finally moved back and glanced round the rest of the bar. I was trying to keep the hatred off my face and work out what he was up to when, without warning, I was plunged into his thoughts. He was talking again but I didn't hear any of it over the images and ideas that were soiling my mind.

The mass of jumbled thoughts and images wove in and out of each other like a heaving pile of maggots, and it took a while to sort it all out.

It was all there in his head. The reason he had pushed the King into taking Louisiana in the first place; the goal of all his plotting and planning; what his obsession was; what he wanted and would do anything to get: Eric.

The information came so fast I thought my head would explode but I could not stop it.

When Victor had first met Eric he desired him and tried to seduce him, but Eric had seemed oblivious to what he wanted. Victor put this down to what he felt to be Eric's youth. Even though Eric was far older than the King's Regent, Victor viewed him as young because of his easy laughter, his exuberance, his love of life. Because Eric didn't always hold himself impassive and aloof, Victor saw him as inferior, almost childlike, and thought he would be honoured to be the companion of a vampire like himself. He thought of the mighty Viking as little more than a trophy pet, a dumb blonde.

Victor had engineered the entire take-over just so he would be in a position to 'protect' Eric from Felipe, to save his province as sheriff. He believed Eric would view him as a hero and come to him. Instead he found out about me, and witnessed Eric's feelings for me. In Victor's mind, Eric had betrayed him. He had been glad when I first disappeared. He had no interest in me except as a way to have power over Eric.

But even with me gone, Eric had made his disinterest plain. So Victor reported to the King that the Sheriff of Area 5 was not as submissive a subject as they had expected. Felipe had given him permission to bring Eric to heel in any way he saw fit, as long as the sheriff was able to return to his duties the following night. Victor had kept from his King the form the 'lesson' had taken.

Victor was determined to force the Viking into submission, to crush his spirit, but underneath he also harboured a secret hope that he could still enthral Eric. When Eric had returned from California married, Victor had lost it and set the bounty hunters on all of us. But he was glad Eric hadn't been killed, he hadn't given up. A marriage to a human was hardly serious after all.

He then tried to convince Felipe of what an asset I was and that he should exercise his option to move me to Vegas. That must have been what the thing with Hansen was all about. Victor had planned to promise Eric he would ensure my safety in return for his obedience. But the King was merely amused and said if he wanted me that much he would just have to kill the sheriff, the King didn't have a clue what Victor's real desire was.

Victor didn't know why the King had been meeting with Eric and was worried his position was becoming precarious. Eric had too many vampires loyal to him personally and the King had softened towards him because his area was so successful. He planned to kill all of us, starting with me, then offer Eric his life in return for complete subservience. He knew he would probably have to keep him chained for a few decades, but he would come around eventually. He would think of something to tell the King.

First though he would have his fun, let Eric think that he would leave us all alone once he had been punished, so that Eric would submit, like he did before. He had purposely arrived unannounced but late enough so he could watch Eric waiting for the next night, knowing what was coming. He loved the anticipation, enjoyed drawing the whole process out as much as possible, especially since he had warned Eric it was coming weeks ago, then made him wait and wait before showing up to claim his right.

%

Last time he had simply had Eric blow him and then taken his pleasure, he'd repeated this pattern over and over with Eric in different positions all night, leaving just before dawn. This time he had brought restraints and intended to keep the sheriff bound through the day also, so he could sleep on top of him with his cock buried in Eric the whole time.

Then he planned to stay and watch Eric work the following night, not allowing him to shower or change so his scent and seed would be all over Eric for another night and day at least. He was hard now just thinking about it.

%

I watched as Victor disintegrated before me.

It felt like the bubbling smoking goo was being reduced to ash solely by the fire in my eyes rather than by the piece of silver tipped Apple wood that I had angled into his cold dead heart.

I didn't remember pulling the stake out from between the booth cushions where I had rammed it weeks ago to keep the Fellowship girl, Jenny, from staking her sister's ex-boyfriend. I didn't remember walking over to Victor. I didn't know how I had gotten past his guard, or what was happening with everyone else in the room.

I knew only rage. It had coursed through me when I realized what Victor had done and what he planned to do. It still pumped my blood now.

I remembered the look of confused shock as Victor became aware of his onrushing final death. Despite his plotting and planning, despite his heavily armed guards, despite everything. This small human woman had just ended his existence.

And I remembered that, as I had shoved the sharpened wood into his heart, I had growled out the only thing that mattered to me in that moment.

"Eric is MINE!"

3rd Person POV – Henry (a few minutes previously)

Henry sank into the red vinyl seat which still reeked with the scent of humans and spilt beer, diminishing his presence completely as his eyes swept over the entering vampires. They wore a simple uniform of blue jeans and red polo-shirts with Victor's self proclaimed crest on. It was a variation on the old Madden family coat of arms passed down from the MacAvaddy's of Galway. Victor had looked it up on the internet after a conversation with Henry's Scottish character about Gaelic origins. All the vampires Victor had brought with him were young and knew very little about wielding the swords they carried. He would have done better to arm them with guns.

Henry was actually pleased with the way Bill had positioned himself. Victor would be unable to watch Eric, Pam and Bill without moving one of them, but to do so would be admitting he was on the defensive. Henry had no time for Compton. It had taken time, and conversation with Claudine, Eric and Sookie herself, to get the full story on his relationship with Sookie. The more he had learned, the more he wanted to kill Bill.

He suspected, even now, Bill didn't understand just how much damage he had done to the young human-fairy who personified the contradictory qualities of strength and frailty. Though his behaviour had improved, and Henry believed he did care for Sookie, part of Henry hoped Bill might be a casualty of the fight that was coming.

Satisfied that no one had so much as glanced in his direction Henry turned his attention to the woman that he was quintuply sworn to protect. He'd promised Claudine, Eric, His Lord the Prince, Sookie and himself, no harm would come to her if he could prevent it.

His instructions were not so straightforward though. Claudine and Niall had also made him promise he would prevent Eric from turning Sookie, no matter what the circumstances. When he had first promised Claudine it had seemed a simple vow to make, Sookie did not want to be a vampire and Eric would not turn her against her will, he was sure. But then Claudine had been hurt.

Bereft, holding her limp form against his dead heart, fighting the instinct to finish what Jonathan had started, he had felt the light she created inside him fading. She hadn't stirred since she fell to the gravel of the parking lot. Even when he had put her down to fight the tiny vampire when he blocked their path. Or when he had picked her up again when Jonathan had fled.

As much as he understood Claudine would not want to be a vampire, he'd had his fangs at his wrist, ready to bite, when her lids had fluttered open. Her eyes were glassy and he didn't think she could see him but he knew what she would say if she could speak, what she would think of what he had been about to do. He'd fled from her, calling her family to take her away before he could destroy her love for him, if he hadn't already.

It had never occurred to him, the risk of killing her out of love, of preventing her reaching the summer-lands as she should. He knew Eric might make the same decision, if Sookie were dying, and he wasn't sure he could stop him, whether he would even have the heart to try.

Claudine had forgiven him. Had blessed the love that wanted to keep her alive no matter what the cost. And blessed that ultimately he was strong enough to let her go, no matter what the cost. It had made him feel better, but he hadn't forgiven himself. His Lord the Prince had extracted the same promise regarding Eric and Sookie as had Claudine. Henry suspected they had tried and failed to get the promise from the Viking directly. Henry had agreed to defend Sookie's wishes, it was a compromise of sorts.

The Prince was very interested in Henry now too. His interest seemed benign, but you could never be sure with the powerful fairy. He didn't know of their feelings for each other, but he now knew that his granddaughter had a vampire friend. If at any point he viewed Henry as a threat to Claudine he would kill him. At times Henry thought he might be right to do so.

Like nearly everyone Henry had ever met, Niall was fascinated by his origins. Henry's first memory was from when he was already a vampire and had been for some time. He woke one night, alone, there was a dead body, and he had fangs. Henry didn't know who his maker was, who he had been as a mortal or anything about the first years of his life as a vampire (approximately 50 years from what he had been able to determine).

He was self taught in everything, who and what he was, how to feed, how to kill, how not to kill. There was no generic term for their kind back then, though there were rumours everywhere he went. The word vampire wouldn't become known for hundreds of years. He'd quickly learned to mimic whatever people he found himself among and to hide from his own kind. He knew they might be able to answer his questions but they horrified and frightened him, he couldn't bear to be around them. It was a long, long time before he discovered his ability to remain inconspicuous was more than him just keeping his head down.

The first creature like himself he had ever spoken to at any length had been Eric. Henry had never seen one of his kind laugh with such abandon, or flirt and dance with the maids in town. Back then, demons stayed well hidden in the shadows. Eric walked as if the sun were on his face even in the middle of the night. His flagrant lack of caution upset another night walker that had hit that part of Constantinople at the same time (like all predators, blood drinkers followed the herds). Eric could fight well but he was much younger than his assailant.

Henry had been watching the dramatic draugr* curiously all evening, despite himself he liked the tall loud blonde. When it looked like Eric would lose, Henry had impulsively thrown himself into the fight. Though not yet able to gauge his own abilities, he lucked out with a tricky manoeuvre that removed the older demon's head. Henry hadn't even known it was possible kill their kind without the sun, let alone how. It had been centuries before Henry had confessed to his friend how little he had known when they first met. Not until after the incident at Delft.

He suppressed a growl as Victor threw Sookie into the booth and felt the nearest guard's eye flicker in his direction. But she was unharmed and safer than she had been in the middle of the room. Henry shifted his gaze to the Regent who represented everything he hated about his own kind. For the first time he understood the way the King's representative looked at Eric. That was why Victor had thrown Sookie, she was in the way of what he wanted.

He wondered why Eric had never mentioned this desire, perhaps he thought it would upset Sookie. From the way he looked at his friend, Henry knew Victor didn't really see Eric, he saw a icon he had created in his mind, a gilded fiction. Well that was that then. Tonight was the night they would kill Victor. It was just a matter of how it would play out. Victor was rhapsodising about the fun they would all have tonight and tomorrow, completely unaware there would be no tomorrow for him.

The problem would be taking out Victor quickly and protecting Sookie during the fighting. Bill was closest to both of them but Henry knew the young vampire couldn't get past the guards that blocked him before Victor could react. If he were smart, Victor would flee when they attacked, but Victor wasn't smart, not about this. He wanted Eric, he would go for Sookie.

Henry's ability to become unremarkable was less effective if he was moving about. In the current situation, where everyone was on high alert for any kind of threat, he would have to be very careful. He needed to get to Sookie without drawing attention. It might just be possible with Victor so focused on Eric. They would also need decent weapons to minimize the collateral damage. Henry wasn't looking forward to fighting with one of Victor's swords, they were poorly made and badly balanced, he could see that from here.

He became aware Sookie was moving and turned his eyes back to her. What was she up to, infuriating creature? Eric wasn't in danger yet. Her back was straight and her steps firm but slow as she approached Victor. She had a stake in her hand. Henry had no idea where she had gotten it. He shifted his balance slightly, ready to act, as Victor stopped mid-sentence and every vampire in the room turned to look at the human.

Henry flicked his eyes to the kneeling Viking but despite an impassive face he suspected Eric didn't know any more than he did. A couple of the guard twitched as if ready to stop her approach but Victor signalled them to hold their positions and actually took a couple of steps towards her, away from Eric. He didn't view Sookie as a threat and Henry didn't think he had noticed the stake in her hand, his eyes were glued to hers.

Henry worried for a moment that someone had finally managed to glamour her, but as he looked more carefully it was more like she had glamoured Victor. Her steps were confident, as if she were totally unaware of the danger she was in, of Victor's predatory gaze, or the antsy guards that were ready to rip her apart.

She walked like an attractive woman crossing a restaurant. Her table was already reserved, it was the most natural thing in the world that she would walk to it. And if everyone was watching her, let them look, her eyes remained on her destination.

3rd Person POV - Victor

Victor watched as the tender blonde woman that had destroyed all his plans calmly walked towards him. He was distracted by the odd look in her eyes. They were very unusual, young and old, focused and distant all at the same time. Without breaking eye contact he waved back his guard. It's not like she was dangerous. A little different from most humans perhaps, but no stronger than the rest. Her eyes were very blue, a little darker than the sheriff's. He could use her to get what he wanted. If he controlled her, he would control Eric. His focus still on her eyes, he started to push his glamour at her.

He had done everything for Eric, manipulated a king, killed a queen, acquired an entire state. He had placed that beautiful boy under his own personal protection, but was he grateful? No. Instead he allowed himself to be distracted by this human, this insignificant little girl. She didn't seem so special to Victor. If others had been unable to control her they were weak, he was calling her to him, and she would give herself. He strengthened his call.

She came right up to him and put a hand on his shoulder, he smiled slightly, this would be too easy. He felt a burning sensation that seemed to come from his very core. His eyes widened with pain and shock. With a great effort only possible because the survival instinct was stronger even than she was, the saccadic movements of his gaze travelled down to her hand. She was still holding the blunt end of the stake that pierced his heart. With the magnetic draw of a black hole, his eyes were pulled back to hers. It was over, he was finally dead.

He wanted to look at Eric one last time but her eyes seemed to hold his in an impossible prison. She had said something. He hadn't heard the words but he knew why she had done it. Would Eric miss him he wondered.

Sookie POV

As I watched the final crumbling remains of Victor flake away on the scorched carpet, I became vaguely aware that chaos had erupted around me. I looked up to see Eric and Henry taking on most of Victor's guards back-to-back in the middle of the room. They both had swords, as did Bill who was behind me fighting the guards that had been between him and everyone else. Pam was beside me, sword in hand as she eyed the two members of the guard that had been edging towards me.

With an exuberant war-cry, that in my addled state sounded suspiciously like 'Prada', she was quickly engaged, her blade flashing in the dim bar-lights. It was beautiful to watch and I wished I'd learned to use the video setting on my phone. Where was my phone? I was brought back to the moment by Pam edging me backwards with her butt as she kept her eyes on the enemy. She was trying to move us to a less exposed position but the guard kept blocking our movements. I wanted to help but seeing as everyone else was a sword wielding vampire and I was an unarmed barmaid, there wasn't much I could do.

The two vampires attacking us started to spread out more and I glanced about desperately for a weapon. I had left the stake in Victor, it was ash now like the rest of him. The two guards stopped edging around and took up a more solid stance. I knew they were preparing to attack. I straightened my spine and balanced my weight, the way Jason had taught me in grade-school, as I faced the one nearest me. The move made the red-shirt hesitate and then I felt relief as Bill flashed before me, having finished off the guards he'd been fighting.

With two vampires our group seemed to attract the attention of the guards that had been hanging back watching warily. Pam and Bill kept me between them as they fought off anyone that came at us. My mind had hit pause. There seemed to be so many denim and red clad vampires that I couldn't see how our small group could fight them all. Another OSM in the life of Sookie Stackhouse. How could I have been so stupid. I had probably just destroyed our whole family, and I wasn't even sure how I'd done it. I tried to remember the moments before I had staked the Regent. I couldn't. The images of Eric I'd gotten from Victor's mind wiped out everything else.

I ran my eyes round the circle of guards that were focused on Eric and Henry. It was hard to follow much of what was happening because everyone moved so fast. They mostly seemed to shift among themselves, crouched, around my vampires whose bodies appeared serene and relaxed, though their eyes never stopped moving. Henry and Eric would wait for the red shirts to attack then kill anyone who got close. The remaining guards would back off and try a new approach.

Even though several would go for them at once the older vampires didn't seem to be having any trouble dispatching them, flick, flick, gloop, ash. They were even laughing occasionally. At one point one of the attackers managed to cut Henry on the shoulder. Henry removed the vampire's head with a smooth backhand. Glancing down at his wound, he then remarked casually to the flaking remains beside him;

"Bravo, that was actually quite good. Not good enough, but still, nice effort."

Suddenly Pam grabbed me and threw me towards the base of the bar, at the same time Bill rushed forward into the two vampires that had lunged for me. I crouched, the bar at my back, as battles raged around me. Pam was twirling like a dancer, Bill actually head-butted a member of the guard at one point which somehow seemed a more violent act than when he removed the guy's arm with his sword. I could feel that Eric was enjoying himself as he and Henry gave each other a high five while simultaneously lunging to neatly impale two of the guard.

At the same time one of Victor's vamps must have gotten close to me. A blur I thought was probably Pam flew across me and there was a thump-ooph as she pushed my attacker away. I registered a sting. There was a roar from Eric somewhere across the room. He and Henry broke formation, flying into their surrounding attackers, and all hell broke lose. The air was a blur of swinging swords, flying vampire parts, muffled cries and the occasional sticky, gloppy sound that I really didn't want to think about. All of it happening too quickly for me to follow.

3rd Person POV – Pam (again a few minutes before)

The second Sookie had plunged the stake into Victor, Pam had reached below the bar, flipped the hidden catch and pulled three swords from a secret compartment. She tossed one to each Bill and Eric and then the third to Henry whom she had oddly forgotten, but he was by Eric's side now. Eric had already flung his guard against the wall and ceiling the moment Sookie's action had caused them to shift their attention

The guards cried out as one as the figure formerly known as Victor started to collapse inwards and smoke. Pam concluded that most, if not all, had been made by the Regent. Sookie stood by the crumbling remains. She seemed frozen. Her face was pure fury and for the first time Pam could see the fairy heritage in her friend's face. She repressed a shudder, she would have to protect that creature. Sookie might have a fae temper but it didn't come with the same strength. Pam grabbed another sword for herself having given hers to Henry.

Most of the guards were headed for Eric, Victor had obviously taught them enough for them to know to take out the biggest threat first. She noted the surprise on their faces as they registered Henry's presence. Bill had already dispatched one guard and was engaged with two others. The forth of those that had been before him had her eyes on Sookie.

Sookie still hadn't moved but the vampires staring at her seemed wary of approaching. Pam knew that wouldn't last, she had to get her Master's wife, her sister, to safety. She launched herself over the bar easily avoiding the two guards who were meant to contain her. Reaching Sookie's side, she started to look for a more protected space, they were very vulnerable in the center of the room. Several of the guard took this as a signal to attack but Pam did not see an alternative.

Victor's vamps were all quite young and the first one to reach her was dispatched easily, but there were still a lot of them and Pam began to doubt her ability to keep Sookie safe. If too many came at her at once, one might get past her. She started to try and shuffle the girl backwards as two Victorettes began to edge around so they could come at her from either side. Others were moving closer as well.

Bill finally dispatched the third guard he'd been fighting and moved to Sookie's other side, luckily Pam had recognised him in time to avoid taking his head off. It was a bad day to be wearing jeans and a red shirt (though Bill's was button-down not polo). With Bill in position to watch her back she allowed herself a brief glance at her friend's face. Sookie's eyes were wide, her mouth slightly open, and Pam could hear her heart hammering in her chest.

Trust Sookie to start a battle then be surprised by it, Pam thought fondly. But she was too still, she was so resilient usually, Pam was concerned to see her apparently in shock. Sookie would be OK, Eric would make sure she was OK. Pam just had to keep her alive. She turned back to face their enemies.

Even with Bill's help the sheer numbers made it a tough fight. If she hadn't been worried about Sookie she would have been having the time of her life. The guards were getting more cunning in their approach, she needed to get Sookie to a more defensible position. Pam met Bill's eye for a millisecond and could see he agreed. With a rebel yell cry he charged the nearest members of the guard distracting them with the unexpected move as Pam slung Sookie as carefully as she could towards the bar so she'd have something solid at her back.

One of the guard had thrown his sword like a spear and it whistled right through the space where Sookie had been. They had moved just in time. Pam engaged two more of the guard, enjoying the feel of her sword slicing through the air like an extension of herself, just as Eric had taught her.

She felt a brush of air behind her. Eric had thrown one of his attackers, taking out a vampette coming at her from behind. He threw her a look of reproof for not watching her back. He and Henry were playing with the ones attacking them, if they had been human they wouldn't even have broken a sweat. They were eliminating only a few at a time to prolong the game. Twisting under the arm of her current sparring partner to get a better view of the rest of the fighting, she spotted the baby vamp covertly zipping between his comrades, heading towards Sookie.

Sookie had squatted with her back resting against the bar. Pam knew that with the speed the boy was moving, her friend's human eyes wouldn't even see him. It was necessary to allow the man she was fighting to slice her gut as she turned, but Pam wasn't worried, the silver would cauterize the wound; deep as it was, it wouldn't bleed much. Pam threw herself across Sookie, dragging the boy with her. Judging by Eric's cry of rage she hadn't been quick enough and Sookie had been hurt. She could only hope it wasn't fatal.

3rd Person POV - Eric

Both Pam and Sookie had been hurt, Eric had had enough, no more playing with these fools, it was time to clean house. He signalled Henry who looked disappointed to end the games but who jerked his head in acceptance. Compared to the two ancient friends the remaining guards were sluggish and incompetent. They had spaced themselves in rudimentary defensive positions, which in fact only made them easier to dispatch.

Like the end of a checkers game, Henry and Eric started to hop through the opposing side removing heads as they went. The remaining baby vamps attempted a rearguard manoeuvre but they were predictable and slow. Eric ripped off the arm of one and used it to beat back another while killing a third. Then he turned to kill the one he had been beating and finally back to the owner of the arm. He returned the limb before removing her head and moving on.

All the time he was thinking of Sookie. He probed their bond. She was numb with shock but still exuded the light that she always did within his blood. Her presence inside him made him feel alive again. Like he had been in the sun all day and could still feel its warmth on his skin even though it was dusk now.

When they made love he could swear he felt his heart beating in time with hers, that he gasped for air as she did, that the sweat that ran over them came from them both. Even though he knew it was impossible he woke each evening feeling like he'd been dreaming of her. Now she had killed for him. He worried sometimes that if she made him feel more alive, the opposite was also true. Why had she done it?

Tactically it was perfect. The two problems had been taking Victor out first and protecting Sookie. Her actions had achieved both. He had seen the young guards turn from her, too scared to approach a creature they did not understand. But Eric didn't think her actions were tactical. So many questions. So many theories. His enigma. His Sookie. He had felt her rage, it put his own to shame, but he could not be sure what had caused it.

The most likely explanation was also the least likely. That she knew. Not only what Victor had insisted he do, but the dark, desperate desire behind it. Eric had seen it in his eyes from the start and avoided the younger vampire as much as possible when they had first met. He'd had sex with men before of course, even enjoyed it at times, but mostly his desires did not run that way and Victor's gaze was too covetous.

Eric had known when Victor appeared tonight with so many vampires that he was here to kill them all. It quickly became clear that he planned to 'enjoy' himself first. Eric suspected the King had engineered this confrontation and was just sitting back to see who survived, then he would act from there. They all knew Eric and Victor could not continue to both exist in Louisiana. Eric knew he'd kill the Regent tonight, but he was worried about Sookie. Victor would go straight for her when the fighting started and Henry was not close enough to beat him there. Then Sookie changed everything.

Something told Eric that his wife knew what Victor wanted and that was why she'd killed him. Hadn't she said 'Eric is mine!'? But how could she know? There was only one way he could think of. He had wondered before if she could hear vampire thoughts, but every time he had tried to push a thought at her she had not responded, not even slightly. He tried again now, but there was not even a flicker as he monitored her reactions through their bond.

No, if she could hear him, he would know it. But then how?

He put it aside for now, there would be time on dwell on that later, if she could hear vampires it might be better if he did not know for sure. She would not be safe anywhere if anyone found out. He would have to accept Niall's offer to remove her to Fae for her safety. He would never see her again.

If he was right, and she knew about Victor, what did she think? He had been so sure she would think him weak for allowing it; that she would feel revolted by a body that had been so intimate with someone she hated so completely; that she would feel he had betrayed her like all the others had done; that she would never forgive him and their relationship would be beyond remedy.

But now she seemed to know and had not reacted like he thought. Sookie loved him anyway. Rather than revulsion, horror, and heartbreak. He'd felt her anger, her passion, and her protectiveness, he'd felt her love.

Her love was a marvel that overcame every barrier. She'd defied a guard twenty strong to kill the monster that threatened her heart. Victor should have known better. Eric had realised even before he really knew her that he could not, would not, use her heart against her.

He was not proud of agreeing to what Victor wanted, but at the time he had reasoned a sexual liaison was brief and the benefits outweighed his revulsion. Submitting kept all of his retinue safe, allowed him to retain his position, and fooled Victor into thinking he had the upper hand. The King had ordered Pam be taken into Victor's care until Eric could produce Sookie but Eric knew she'd be allowed to stay with him if he convinced Victor he was loyal, and obedient. Eric would not allow Victor to torture Pam in his place, (which Victor would do, knowing Eric would feel his child's pain).

He had also hoped that Victor would lose interest in him once he'd gotten what he wanted. It had become clear that night that he had underestimated and misunderstood Victor's interest. Eric's submission had only inflamed Victor's desire. Victor hadn't want to fuck him, he wanted to make love. A couple of times endearments had slipped from the Regent's lips, pet-names. Eric knew by the end of the night exactly how Victor saw him. To be so belittled by a vampire half his age was infuriating, it also made it clear that Victor would want more.

Perhaps the worst of it though, was that the night felt like a betrayal to Sookie. He had been furious with himself ever since. He would never submit again. Victor had pushed him too far.

Sookie POV

I touched my finger-tips to my cheek and felt the blood. It didn't seem too deep and considering the battle, I figured I had gotten off pretty lightly. I checked our bond carefully, it was hard to tease out much from Eric's emotions since the blood-lust was so strong but I was fairly sure he wasn't hurt, or at least not badly. I hung on to that.

I noticed someone had dropped a sword near me. I grabbed at it and braced my back against the bar, my butt on my heels, holding the sword before me. It was heavy and I didn't think I could swing it very well but I felt better with a weapon in my hand than without.

Then, as suddenly as it had started, the chaos ended.

As the movement stilled I could see Eric and Henry standing in the middle of the room, piles of flaking remains around them. Eric was surveying the room with interest, Henry was cleaning his sword as casually as if he'd just finished a sparring session with Eric and Pam was helping Bill up from under another pile of flaking remains. Everyone was covered in blood.

"Well aren't you two sweet," teased Eric, as if the whole Victor interruption had not just happened. Pam growled at him and Bill had that look on his face I'd come to think of as vampire blushing.

3rd Person POV - Eric

Eric and Henry had both reached the last one together and Henry had graciously given way to allow Eric the final honours. As Eric had brought his sword sharply up, slicing the woman in half from groin to head, Henry had took out his handkerchief and started to clean his his blade.

After checking that none of Victor's vampires had survived, since he was too ashamed to look at Sookie, Eric checked on his child first. Pam was healing already. She had only been hurt because she had needed to protect Sookie. Eric had allowed himself to get too caught up in the fun, he hadn't seen the boy going for his wife as Pam had. They had both paid for his carelessness.

Bill would heal too. The slice across his face was from Pam removing the head of the vampire that had been on top of him. Eric was sure she could have avoided injuring the Area 5 investigator if she'd wanted to. He had to admit though, Bill had fought well, perhaps he wasn't such a complete waste of space.

Bill had shown some political acuity in his dealings with Sophie-Ann, could apparently handle a sword, and his computer program was both clever and useful. Also he would definitely die for Sookie without hesitation. In some ways he would make a good vampire for Eric to take under his wing. Eric could help him become one of the few who truly lasted, as he and Henry had, like Pam would. Yes, he would be almost perfect, except for the fact that Eric really couldn't stand him.

He watched Pam help Bill up and threw out a teasing comment, covering the shame with bravado as he had so many times in his long existence. Sookie had been hurt, he had failed to protect her because he was enjoying the fight too much.

Finally he turned to look at his wife. There was blood on her cheek but the cut didn't look deep. She was holding a sword before her. It was too heavy for her human strength and now that he looked for it he could feel her straining to hold it up. That was his Sookie, the resolute human holding a heavy sword against a room full of monsters. He laughed internally at how fitting the image was.

He walked towards her, dodging the scummy remains that littered his bar. He would not ask her what she knew and how, she would tell him when she was ready. Right now he had to be near her, to hold her. She had killed before, but only to save her own life, only when no other option was left to her. This was different, she had risked everything, herself and others, just for him. She was the bravest creature he knew.

As he met her eye there was something searching in her gaze, she was scared to drop her guard just yet; after some of her previous experiences he couldn't blame her. But she was safe with him, she always would be. It was time to let down his own guard.

3rd Person POV - Bill

Bill watched the sheriff move towards Sookie. She was still a vision to his eyes, as she had been from the first moment he saw her, but he had accepted the love between her and Eric. Unfathomable as it was that the ancient Viking was capable of loving her as she deserved, both he and Sam had seen it, after Jonathan attacked.

He had watched one of the most ruthless old world Vampires as he tended the wounds of the beautiful, stubborn, brave creature they all loved. Sam had met his eye for a moment and they'd both conceded defeat. As she had made clear tonight, Eric was hers. There was no fighting that.

Bill didn't know what had caused Sookie to act as she did. He knew Eric could have thrown off the guard easily but was waiting for the right moment. They couldn't risk Victor getting away, he had to be taken out first. Maybe the sheriff had urged her into action knowing that Victor would not see her as a threat, but Bill didn't think so, Eric would not have risked her getting hurt.

Maybe it was just finding the stake, Bill had seen her pull it from beneath the seat, as though she knew it was there. But she hadn't so much at glanced at her weapon as she'd walked calmly up to Victor and staked him like it was the most natural thing in the world. Bill had felt an odd sense of pride in her that he knew he had no right to feel.

It was possible Sookie thought they were in more danger than they were. She was terrible at protecting herself, but always first in line when it came to others. Victor had injured Eric, perhaps that was enough to goad her into action. It fit with her statement. Words that stung like silver even if they told him nothing he didn't already know.

Bill looked down as Eric reached towards Sookie. He enjoyed being with Laura and really felt they could be happy, but he still didn't like seeing the intimacy between Eric and Sookie. He would never cease to regret her. He averted his eyes and focused on the stinging needle stabs of his healing wounds as Henry handed him a True Blood with a sardonic look.

Sookie POV

Eric had finally turned to look at me. I was still crouched before the bar with the blade held up. He actually looked a little surprised to see the sword in my hands and I could tell it amused him.

Slowly he picked his way towards me. As I watched him coming I started to realise that it was over, and that we had survived, I hadn't gotten us all killed. I felt my lip tremble. Eric squatted before me and laid his sword on the ground. Then he reached forward and took the sword from my hands and laid that down too.

Ever so gently he touched the cut on my cheek and seemed to decide it was not too bad. Then his eyes searched mine. I knew he was full of questions; I could feel his curiosity. But he didn't ask them. We were both on our haunches, though I was keeping my balance only because my back was against the bar. Resting a hand against the wood by my head, he leaned forward and licked the blood from my face, stroking my hair back out of the way with his other hand. He closed his eyes for a moment, both enjoying the taste of my blood and probing our bond.

When he opened his eyes, they shone bright blue around dark pupils still slightly dilated from the battle.

"I love you," he said simply. It was the first time he had actually said it. I smiled at him then launched myself into his arms, taking him by surprise and knocking him off balance onto his back so I was laying on top of him. I attached my face to his, pouring all my love for him through my lips. Finally I lifted my head, pushing myself up from his chest. He stroked my face again.

"I know," I said with a smirk, feeling the deep contented rumble of a purr under my hands as I heard my favourite sound in the world.

*draugr – From Old Norse literature, 'The walking dead'. Henry calls Eric as this because, having researched the various stories about his kind in different countries, he associates each 'vampire' with the term used in their place of origin, Eric is Nordic therefore Henry sees him as a draugr.

*flag of truce pops up from behind couch*

So guys, that was it, Eric's Secret. I hope you will forgive me for defiling the Viking, (I'm staying behind the couch until you stop throwing things) it was all Victor's fault, he insisted.

I hope the POV changes were not too confusing, I wanted to fill the gaps that Sookie missed and also let you in on a few other snippets of info that Sookie doesn't know about.

I want to say a huge thank you to every reader and give a massive hug and big wet sloppy kiss to everyone who reviewed. I will try not to leave it too long before I start getting my next story up. I still haven't decided which will appear first but both are in the skeleton stage right now and they will both get posted when they are ready.

A big shout out for the fantastic Treewitch703 for all her wonderful work and support, that woman is truly amazing.

*peeps between fingers* Have you stopped throwing things yet?