I know I said that I was gonna post a few one shots after finished 'So wrong it must be right', but I couldn't help it. This little story was in my head and I had to get it out. Even though Tara/Eric are my favorite couple, I love Alcide. Hope you guys enjoy it.

She leaned against the wall for support, nothing ever turns out the way she wants it.

She heard his steps, he wasn't making an effort to be quiet."When are you gonna stop letting him dick you around?" And that was the question of the hour, when indeed. She knew what her relationship did to him and it wasn't fair, it wasn't fair to him.

Pushing off the wall she stood to face him, she'd never get tired of looking at him. Contemplating it for a moment, she walked over to him and pulled him into the room by his hand. "Can we... can we just not talk about it?" she begged. He pushed her down on the couch and took the seat next to her, "we have to talk about it sometime."

"I know," she whispered. He deserved more than what she was giving him, why he hadn't walked away was still a mystery to her.

She watched him as he lowered his head into his hands and let out a loud breath. There it was, it was always there creeping up on her, guilt. He loved her. She loved someone else.

This was so fucking frustrating, he always found himself in the same position. "He's never gonna commit to you. You're always gonna wonder who he's with when he's not here and it's gonna kill you. I can't make you feel anything for me, but I wish you'd open your eyes. He can't make you happy, you're in love with a fantasy."

She balled her hands into fist, she didn't wanna hear it. "I think you made your point, Alcide. In fact, we've been over this before a million times. I know... I know he's no good but I can't help how I feel."

"I know you can't, neither can I. You know what the difference is between us?" He asked softly.

She felt her eyes burn, she had a feeling she knew what he was building up to."What?"

"You stick around and let him hurt you, you're not strong enough to let go. I am. I love you but I can't keep doing this, I can't be you."

"But we're friends..." her voice quivered and her vision began to blur. "You're just going to leave me, just like that?" she asked, as a warm tear made its way down her face.

"You have Sookie, Arlene, and Lafayette. You're not alone and you never will be, but I can't be here anymore. I can't keep letting you string me along in hopes that one day you'll decide I'm enough for you." He turned away from her as he spoke, he couldn't handle her tears.

"Please don't do this," she moved to grab his hand but he jumped off the couch.

He kept his back to her a looked over at the door, he knew he had to do this."For what it's worth, I hope things work out with him. I just want you to be happy even if it isn't with me." He stopped when he reached the door to look back at her one last time. He wished he would've kept walking because the image of her in tears would forever be stamped in his brain.

"I don't want you to go. You... you matter to me, a lot." She didn't care that she was full on crying, she just needed him to stay.

Shaking his head, "I know, but it's just not enough."

Tara watched as he walked out of her door and out of her life. She wasn't sure if the feeling of emptiness and anguish was normal over losing a friend.

Two Months Later...

It was the second time in less than a six month time-span that Tara watch someone she cared for walk away. The only difference this time was that she asked him to leave. All of Alcides predictions came true. Eric would never commit to her, he was too caught up in being the new King of Louisiana. When he first learned of the promotion last month it all went to his head. He was basking in power and he wasn't shy about showing it. He'd still come to Tara, telling her he loved her but that he couldn't be with just one human. He would tell her that he knew she deserved better but he couldn't help it. He was a vampire, she physically couldn't sustain his hunger, it would kill her. All that didn't matter because all those other women and men, they were nothing. Tara was the one he loved, the only one he laid claim to. It would just have to be enough and for a while it was.

Two months had passed and not a word from Alcide. Not a day or a moment went by that she didn't think of him. Sometimes when she was alone, she would go over the night he left and cry. She started wondering if Eric was really it for her. Was he really what she wanted? Not only would she forever share him but he was only with her at night.

This last month became an eye-opener. She found herself falling asleep before Eric came over, she no longer waited for him. The nights he would be conspicuously absent, she would be relieved. When Eric told her of his plans to have her move, she snapped. In that moment it was as if she'd woken up from a coma, she gave up so much to be in this twisted relationship with him and he just took. He didn't make any sacrifices, he didn't give anything up. She was done. When she told him it was over, he laughed in her face. When she kicked him out of her house and stood in the doorway, she felt light. His angry words had no effect on her, she no longer cared. All she wanted was him gone and out of her life for good. Eric left but not before spitting out some harsh words, she should have been upset. For all those tears she cried for Alcide, she couldn't seem to muster one up for Eric. If that wasn't telling she doesn't know what is.

One Month Later...

Even though he left her behind, he never erased her number. It had been three months since he last saw or spoke to Tara. Almost everyday, he'd pick up his phone and his finger would hover over her name, but he always fought the temptation. He had to be strong, he knew moving on would be hard. Truth was, he hadn't really moved on, apart from working he hadn't done much else. Every now and then he'd talk to Sookie and she'd update him on Tara. She was always very vague about her relationship but always told him she was doing fine. He knew Sookie hated Eric almost as much as he did. He wished he had the balls to walk into Merlottes for a beer, but he knew if he saw her just once he wouldn't be able to leave again.

The ringing of his phone shook him from his thoughts. His heart seemed to stop when he saw Taras name on the screen. He wasn't sure what to do, she hadn't called him once since that night. He wanted to answer more than anything, instead he turn the ringer off and threw the phone in his night stand. He couldn't do it, he couldn't talk to her and stay away. He wasn't that strong.

Tara huffed in frustration, it was the fifth call and he wouldn't answer. Was he ignoring her? Was his battery dead? She needed him, she knew that now. One month ago she got rid of Eric, she would've called him sooner but she needed time to heal. Now she just needed him. What if he was with someone else? He wanted to move on and it would be easy for a man like him to do so. What woman in her right mind would turn him down? She obviously wasn't in her right mind when she watched him walk away. Deciding she wasn't gonna wait around, she gather her things and ran out to her car. He was gonna talk to her, like it or not.

The incessant knocking on his door woke him from his nap. Not bothering to put a shirt on he walked to the door. To say he was shocked to see her was an understatement. They just stared at each other, wondering who was gonna break the silence first. She looked beautiful, that was his first thought. There were a few subtle changes to her appearance, her braids were gone instead her hair was long a slightly curled, she looked slightly thinner (which concerned him), and she looked happy.

Biting her lip, "I'm sorry to barge in on you like this." She said finally breaking the silence.

He gave her a small smile and moved aside so she could come in. Tara walked passed him, feeling the heat radiating from his skin and shivered.

"What are you doing here?"

"I called you... you didn't answer. I was worried."

"Well, I'm fine as you can see," he said, stretching out his arms.

"Can we talk?" she asked, not meeting his eyes.

Alcide sat down, "I don't think it's a good idea."

"Just hear me out, okay." She asked, taking the seat across from him.

He rubbed his hands over his face, but gave in. "Fine."

"I ended things with Eric, you were right about everything. I'm sorry it took me so long to realize this... I love you."

Alcide stood up and started to pace in front of her. "I can't Tara. I can't do this. You say you love me but you're on the rebound. Anyhow, Eric will show up tomorrow and you'll forgive him again."

"No. I ended things with him, this is not a rebound. I love you. Eric and I have been over for a month and I don't miss him. I didn't even shed a tear for him. You on the other hand, all I did was think of you. Even when I was with him, you were always there and sometimes when I was alone I'd relive that day over and over."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. This was it, this was what he wanted all along but it seemed to easy. He didn't realize he had been silent for so long until he heard Tara get up.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come. I'm... I guess I'm too late." She gave him a small smile and started to walk out. He grabbed her arm before she could leave.

"Are you sure?" He asked quietly.

"I'm positive, I'm sorry it took me so long to realize it. I love you, Alcide." She said, looking straight into his eyes, hoping he'd see the truth there.

He pulled her closer to his body, till they were touching. "Better late than never. I love you too, never stopped. There is still stuff we need to work out." He said into her ear.

"I know. I'm willing if you are." His heat was different from the cold she was used to.

Laying his forehead against hers, he laughed. "Are you joking? Of course I'm fucking willing, I've been waiting for this for a year now." She leaned up on her toes and touched his mouth with hers. He lifted her up so he wouldn't have to bend. This was the first time he kissed her and it wouldn't be the last.