In the last chapter:

Sookie's first weeks in Scotland were very busy, and Mintah proves to be an unaccommodating housemate. Though Sookie doesn't see him often, the constraints he has (forcibly) imposed on her telepathy are strict and difficult for her to maintain. She's eager to move into the house she found to rent.

Pam arrived in Edinburgh, but was deliberately vague about her other business in the city, as well as the details of what's going on back in Louisiana. Afraid of falling right back into vampire intrigue, Sookie doesn't press for information.

Gladiola's wedding provides the opportunity to return to Shreveport. With the supernatural bigwigs busy in another part of the state, Sookie can spend a couple of days closing out her old house.

Gran and Hadley provided some much needed comfort as the enormity of her life changes caught up with Sookie. Still concerned with their safety, she sent her family away before dark, but the only nighttime caller was a very welcome Eric.

Chapter 40 – Flock Together

"I even defended Andre from certain death, just before he killed the king."

"Why'd you do that?" I asked lazily.

We'd made it to my bed, which was made up with only sheets and a single blanket since everything else had been packed away. It was still cozy.

To my surprise, I didn't mind listening to Eric talk about the fighting during the takeover. It reminded me a little of the way Jason used to talk about his football games. I knew that was twisted – and not just in a limb-wrenching dismemberment kind of way – but Eric had the same pride in the victory and his own "play-making" that my brother used to. It helped that he glossed over the gorier details.

"He was pinned between two guards, and I had the opportunity while they were distracted," Eric began, but he hadn't understood my question.

"No, I mean why intervene there? Isn't Andre a threat?" He had certainly seemed threatening during our brief meeting.

"He is the Queen's second. I am sworn to him as much as I am sworn to her."

"Of course," I said quickly. "But things happen in the heat of battle, and you couldn't be blamed. I figured... I had the impression that there was no love lost between you, considering how he acted at your house. I thought you'd be glad if he..." I trailed off when I saw the look on his face. I'd offended him.

"There is no love between Andre and I, that is true," he finally said, and I felt at liberty to breathe again. "But, I am still sworn to defend the Queen's interests, and I do not make a promise lightly, as you know."

I nodded. From experience I knew Eric's promises actually came with a heavy price. No. No. I stopped that train of thought right in its tracks. That wasn't fair. Eric was opportunistic, but he wasn't dishonorable. I of all people could attest to that.

"I do know that," I said quietly.

"Yes," he agreed levelly. We were on the exact same page. "In any case, Andre is vital to the Queen's strength. He is a good fighter, and a good administrator. It was important that the takeover went off without a hitch; an unequivocal gain."

"You wanted to leave on good terms," I concluded. I was fairly certain that Eric's decision to leave Louisiana had not been the product of just the last couple of weeks. He had to have been considering moving on for much longer; maybe even before he and I had gotten to know each other. That was food for thought.

"I wanted to leave, period," Eric clarified. "Convincing the Queen to release me from her service was contingent upon her maintaining a position of unrivaled power and authority here. Had she lost other valuable assets in the fight, she would not have considered letting me go."

"It's good she didn't, then," I offered.

"It's very good. Her losses in that fight were few. We came out even better than expected. Even with my departure, she is well ahead. She has made her show of strength, and for some time now anyone who thinks of challenging her will think again."

"Good for her."

"Good for everyone."

I wondered fleetingly if any of Reagan's advisers had been vampires. Their whole way of life seemed to work on the trickle-down principle.

"You're really coming to Scotland?" I asked.

"Yes, next week. I am set to meet with the King next Friday evening."

"Have you met him before?"

"I have not, though we have spoken on the phone. Pam met him when she was there. Did she not mention it? She spent several nights with him."

"She didn't mention much," I admitted, "and I didn't want to pry into her business."

He simply nodded, leaving me to assume that this had been his intention.

"So what will you do with yourself now?"

"Pam says there is nothing like Fangtasia over there, but I am not sure she will be as eager to help with that project for a second time. I believe she intends to remain in King Walter's court indefinitely."

"Is that in Edinburgh?"

"In Glasgow. His residence is just outside the city."

"That's not too far. Where will you be?" I asked.

"I'll start in Glasgow as well, at least for a few months. When we are better acquainted with the vampires there, and when I have leave to do so, I will strike out on my own, but it's likely to be in the same general area. There are five fiefdoms, and four of them are south of the Firth of Tay."

My geographic knowledge wasn't stellar as yet, but I knew enough to realize he was saying that the vast majority of the vampire population was centered in the southern part of the country, which made sense as that's where the majority of the human population resides.

"Where's the other, Aberdeen?" It was a larger city further up the coast, only a little smaller than Shreveport.

"No, not that far north. There are a couple of vampires who live up there, but their existence is very isolated. It is dangerous to travel in the warmer months, because the nights are so short. Vampires can get stranded, so it is just not worth the risk, and of course there is no population in the west at all."

He gave me a pointed look, and I knew at once what he meant. Vampires were personae non gratae in the Highlands, because that was fairy territory. It wasn't like here, where fairies are very few and far between. They still feel free to roam that rural land, and though their population continues to dwindle, they still have their footholds. Thankfully these didn't include the towns or cities. Too much iron.

I took a little bit of pleasure in the fact that, different as my adoptive country was, I would always be a proud Southerner.

"So, what you're saying is that no matter where you settle, you won't be too far?"

"No," he agreed, and leaned in to kiss my temple, "not too far."

After that, we talked about the various hassles of international relocation. I told him about the house I'd found, and he was eager to see it. It had an old root cellar, and he was enthusiastic about the prospect of kitting it out as a daytime resting place. The chances of him sleeping over would increase tenfold if he had somewhere to stay that was actually comfortable.

Now that the vamps were out of the coffin, he was going to have to deal with the same hassle of acquiring a visa if he wanted to do business. We were able to commiserate on that quite a bit, and I told him what I'd learned so far. Vampires were treated just like everyone else, from a bureaucratic stance. The only exceptions pertained to the documentation requirements. Obviously Eric could not be expected to submit a copy of his birth certificate. I told him he could probably get in with the status of an Entrepreneur, if he were willing to prove he had the capital to invest.

"That's good," he agreed. "Then I would not have to marry Pam."

"Why would you marry Pam?"

"She's a citizen," he shrugged. "She was able to find the records of both her birth and death in the public archives. It's the same as here. Since the revelation there are procedures in place for vampires to reclaim their extant legal status."

"Isn't that weird for her? To be... I don't know... herself again, at least officially?"

"It's a means to an end only. She has no intention of connecting with the remnants of her human life. There is no one alive now who would even remember her."

I felt my brow furrow.

"Do not be sad for Pam, lover. This is only a matter of expedience. She is indifferent, I assure you."

"If you say so."

"I do say so, and I am sure she will say so, if you ask her." He leaned over to check the time on my alarm clock then. He had to get home before dawn and it was well beyond time for me to be asleep. Gran and Jason would be here bright and early, and I was just thankful I'd insisted on not packing the coffee pot the day before. I would surely need to make use of it.

"You have to go," I said, before he could.

"Yes. I must be packed and ready so that my transport can pick me up this afternoon."

"Isn't that disconcerting?" I really had no idea how vampires, who guarded their lives so carefully, could tolerate daytime transport. It was a cavernous gap in their species-wide compulsion to always be in control of a situation.

"It's a calculated risk," he said, before laying a final kiss on me and beginning to extricate his limbs from mine. "A travel coffin is quite durable, and locks from the inside. Is it possible to break one open? Yes. Is it likely to happen before I became conscious enough to realize the danger? No. Is any vampire willing to risk subverting a convenience that is so beneficial to all? No."

"What about humans?"

"Woe be to the humans that try," he grinned wickedly, but I knew it was a hollow kind of bravado. Retribution would be assured, but damage was definitely possible.

"You are finding too many things to worry about," he said, his voice softening.

"Tonight has been a great distraction," I assured him, "but I am worried, about all kinds of things. I think I'll be worried until everything is settled for good."

"So glad I could provide you with a distraction then," he said playfully.

"You know what I mean. When will I see you again? Are the phones still off limits? What's the deal with that anyway? You can call King Walter, but not me?"

I start to babble a little when I'm overtired.

"You will see me next week, if you wish. I will send you a message when I have a new phone. This one has been tampered with. There is a recording device."

"Why are you still using it then?"

"Because I have nothing to hide."

"Is the Queen still interested in me?"

"Neither she nor Andre have said any more about it. It is irrelevant at this point, because you are outside of her grasp."

"Do they think anything about you and Pam following to Scotland?"

"I'm sure they think a lot of things. Everything from the fact that I am following my taste for fairy blood to its source, to the fact that I am in league with your employer... but I have served the Queen stalwartly. She has no cause to do anything but wish me well, and if she truly believes I am keeping pertinent information from her, then it is best for all that we part ways."

I let out a deep sigh of relief. That precarious caution was completely absent from his voice.

"And the Bill thing?" I asked.

"There have been some interesting developments." The subject seemed to perk him up a bit as he moved around lightning quick to collect his clothing, which I could have sworn had not been left at arm's reach earlier.

"Oh?"

"It seems that the suggestion of him being a spy was not too far off. When we searched his home, we found a huge cache of information about vampires he has been in contact with; personal details about vampires all over the country, their images, their histories."

"Really?"

"Yes, and the Queen is being even more tight-lipped than usual about it. He is suspected of being involved in some kind of extensive secret network... at this point, if he were ever to be found, he would have a lot of questions to answer before they got to the subject of you."

Reluctantly I let Eric leave, following to lock up behind him with assurances that we would see each other soon, and a final series of parting kisses. I got a whopping two and a half hours of sleep myself before my brother's banging on my bedroom door demanded my attention.

"Ugh," I sounded, groping around for the lone pillow in the hopes of covering my head. "Go away, Jason."

"Sure sis. I got better things to do than cart your junk to the dump and carry boxes all day."

I sighed, pulled myself out of bed, and trudged to the kitchen where Gran already had the coffee made and the powdered creamer waiting out for me. The stuff was nobody's first choice, but it worked in a pinch. Obviously I didn't have any fresh milk in the house.

"Good morning sleepyhead," Gran greeted, and a mumbled the polite response. "Late night?" I saw her lip twitch.

"Yeah," I agreed. "I got a lot done, and then Eric came by for a little while."

She let out a little huff, but I could see her grin as she continued to make toast out of the loaf of wheat bread she had brought. There was a jar of her homemade strawberry preserves set out on the table, marking the day as a special occasion.

"He's coming to Scotland," I told her quietly. "Him, and Pam, his child, um, vampire child. My friend. They're moving there too."

That got her attention. She hastily gathered up the slices and joined me at the table.

"Sookie, he's moving in with you?" She was concerned, and bless her heart, at the top of her mind was the fear that I was somehow being taken advantage of.

"Oh, no. No," I corrected. "He's going to be living in a different city, but it's less than an hour away. We'll still be able to see each other."

"It seems pretty sudden. Did you know he was going to move there? Is that why you decided to go?"

"I didn't know. He didn't tell me about his plans until last night. I think he wanted to be sure everything was definite."

Gran looked skeptical. "Is he going to work for Splendide too?"

"I don't think he gets along with my boss very well," I said, understating. "He mentioned wanting to start his own business after he gets the measure of things over there."

"Well, that's really something," she said, because it was polite to speak a response, even though she wasn't certain what that response should be. There were a lot more questions percolating in her head, but she couldn't seem to settle on any of them.

"It is something," I agreed, and leaned over to squeeze her hand, so she'd take my meaning. "It's a lot. I'll have some friends over there, and I'll try to meet some new ones, too."

I was assuring both her and myself. I did need to make an effort to start a life there; get to know my coworkers, find a church, meet my neighbors, even though the closest one was quite a hike down the road. I needed to make it "home," and quite abruptly, I made a promise to myself that I would do exactly that.

Gran patted my hand again and then extracted herself so she could serve up the food before it went completely room-temperature.

"Sook, you know you left your dirty drawers on the floor in the hallway?" Jason yelled, as he came in the room, oblivious to the fact that he no longer needed to shout. Gran dropped her toast jam-side down on her plate.

"Thank you Jason," I snapped, in a falsely bright voice. "I'll grab them after breakfast. Come and eat."

"I was thinking the Fourth of July," Gran said, a heartily welcome non sequitor.

"For what?" my brother asked.

"To go and visit Sookie. Easter is too soon, and Memorial Day is a big to-do with the Garden Club.

"Fourth of July would be great," I agreed quickly. "Obviously it's not the same kind of holiday over there, but the time of year should be good."

"I bet they piss and moan all day cause they lost," Jason added, but it was Gran who tutted first.

"It's just like any other day to them, Jason," she informed him.

"Well, you'll both miss the barbeques then. Maybe Hadley and I'll have some people over to my house."

"You've got plenty of time to plan. Do you need to get your passport?" I asked Gran.

"It's on its way. Hadley and I went down to the Post Office a few weeks back and applied, but I don't think she'll have enough time at the bar to put in for a long vacation so soon, so maybe she'll come next trip."

"Yeah, I figure I'll come over some time as well," Jason added.

"I'd be glad to have you," I smiled.

I managed to get enough coffee in my system to power me through the morning as we chatted idly about the prospect of Gran's summer visit. She wanted to press me about being back for either Christmas or Thanksgiving, but accepted the fact that it was too early to put those plans in stone. Jason left for the dump and Gran and I started with the stickers so the moving men could do their work without as much direct instruction.

By the time evening rolled around, the house was just about empty, and in the end I went back to Bon Temps to spend the night on Jason's couch. I was so tired by that point, I could probably have slept comfortably in the bathtub. We took two cars to church in the morning, and then it was back to Shreveport. Gran had decided that she was up to the task of driving herself home on a Sunday afternoon, so I bid my fond adieus to my cousin and brother, promising again to send lots of foreign treats in exchange for a steady supply of Softsoap and Little Debbies.

There was only my personal luggage to collect, and Gran and I reckoned we could manage it fine alone, but as it happened, we weren't.

Mr. Cataliades was filling up the front porch of the little house in Shreveport when we pulled into the driveway for the very last time, and Gran was pretty annoyed about it. There was really no ignoring her thoughts on the subject, and we sat in the car for a minute or two while she steeled her magnolia.

Mr. C was never a welcome visitor with Gran. Though she understood his place in my life, Mr. Cataliades had been the best friend of my real grandfather, and she could not help but associate him with Fintan. Cheating on Mitchell Stackhouse was the great shame of Gran's life, but the result – their children – had been the greatest joy. Their deaths, of course, had caused her greatest pain.

All of that amounted to a hell of a lot to stare in the face, and now there was another component.

Gran believed it was damned nervy of Desmond Cataliades to intrude on her last day with me. After all, he was part of the world to which she was about to lose me.

That tore at my heart almost literally, and I pressed a hand to my chest as it tightened. With the other I seized Gran's hand again, unwilling for now to keep up the pretense that I didn't know what she was thinking. To my great surprise she pulled away and stepped out of the car, striding determinedly over to the demon, and I hurried to catch up.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Cataliades," I heard her say.

"Mrs. Stackhouse, a pleasure. I was so sorry to hear of your illness, but may I say that you're looking well?"

"I'm feeling well, thank you. I understand congratulations are in order for your niece."

"Yes, she was a beautiful bride. The couple departed this morning for the honeymoon."

It was hard to picture Gladiola in a breezy sundress, strolling around a Sandals resort with some lesser Prince of Hell. I saw the look of amusement pass across the part-demon's face as I tried.

"They'll be returning to his home country to visit with family before they settle. Many of the groom's relatives could not make it to the ceremony."

My grandmother nodded politely, fully committed to her show of courtesy. I couldn't leave her out in the cold, literal or proverbial. Gently I moved between them, unlocking the front door.

"Won't you come inside?" I asked. "I'm afraid I've little to offer in the way of hospitality, but we can at least come off the porch."

"Thank you, my dear. I assure you, I won't take up much of your time. I have a few legal documents that require your attention."

All three of us moved to the kitchen, and Gran excused herself to go and putter around the empty house to be certain I hadn't left any corners un-swept nor window sills un-dusted.

"She is a remarkable woman," Mr. Cataliades said in a hushed voice, and I knew for sure that he was just as aware as I was how deeply uncomfortable his presence made her, not that she showed it.

"She is," I agreed. "What have you got for me?"

It turned out we needed to inform the government that I'd be living and working abroad, for tax purposes. I would still be double taxed, but there were ways to mitigate the burden on both sides. I signed where I needed to sign, and then accepted a referral for a solicitor in Edinburgh.

"She's a cousin," he informed me. "Though we have never met in person. She's very good at her work, from what I understand. I believe she has handled some business for your great grandfather in the past."

"I'm sure she's a good lawyer," I agreed. "Though not as good as you, naturally."

"Naturally," he smiled, and then did something he had rarely done and leaned in to embrace me, and I returned his hug with vigor.

"I wish you much happiness and prosperity in your new endeavor. Please do keep in touch. I enjoy our talks."

Gran, who hadn't exactly been eavesdropping, but hadn't exactly not been, made a perfectly timed reappearance in the kitchen just as Mr. Cataliades was ready to leave. He greeted her with a deep and respectful nod and the two exchanged more cool courtesies.

"Give Diantha my love," I said, as he made it to the door. "Tell her I'll call her soon."

"She'll be glad to hear from you as well. I fear she has been quite melancholy of late."

"She'll miss her sister now she's married," I nodded.

"And you as well," he agreed, and then he was gone, moving quickly down the lawn in his way.

"He's very agile for such a large man," Gran commented, reading my thoughts for once. I shut the door.

When there was nothing left to do but load the luggage and lock up, I did so. We drove to the post office and dropped off the padded envelope containing my two sets of keys to be sent to Mrs. Fuller. I'd put my change of address form in yesterday, deciding to have any odd bits of mail forwarded to Gran's house. I'd already given all the companies I had business with my work address in Scotland for future correspondence.

We had a late lunch or an early dinner at the Cracker Barrel. I had spicy fried catfish with green beans and mac and cheese, and I looked the other way as Gran ordered a pork chop. We toasted with tea sweetened by Splenda and talked about her garden, my brother, Everlee Mason's grandson and his trouble at work, the latest weird story to come out of Hot Shot, and the fact that she'd become aware that someone had arranged for new windows to be installed at her house while the repairs were being done. She was downright irritated at all the sewing she'd have to do. Her fancy new windows would need fancy new curtains.

I just beamed at her and then ordered some blackberry cobbler when our waitress came by.

There was no tearful goodbye at the airport, just a tight hug and a promise that I'd call her when I got in, no matter what time that happened to be. Mintah had not yet arrived, so I stayed out and chatted with our pilot after my luggage had been stowed, and learned that his name was Brady, and that his second nature was that of a leopard seal, which I immediately jumped on.

"Does that make you a Selkie?" I asked, and he startled me with his harsh laughter.

"No, not at all, and don't make that mistake in front of one of them! They're as proud as the Weres."

"What do you mean?"

"It's a bit like the difference between a wolf and a coyote, right? Different animals. Selkies are grey seals, exclusively. They're not like Weres in terms of ferocity. It's more wiliness with them, but it's the same sense of superiority." He emphasized the word letting me know what he thought of it, and though I had no particular opinion on the matter, I smiled as if I agreed with him. It was always interesting to learn new things.

We weren't long before taking off once Mintah arrived, and he informed me that the wedding had been mildly diverting, with acceptable levels of pomp. The bride was comely, if a bit young, and her groom was thoroughly enamored.

"Your vampire was in attendance," he remarked.

"Yes, he said he would be. Apparently he will be moving to Scotland as well, along with his child, Pam. You met her at my house, I think," though I couldn't remember if they had actually spoken.

"The vampire population of Scotland is just burgeoning."

"I don't know about that, but it'll be up by two this week."

"A fairly dramatic increase. I understand you have an interview with a vampire next week, as well."

I had no reason to assume he was making an Anne Rice reference, so I simply nodded. "I'm a little leery. He has skills we can use, but... vampire."

"Will you be interviewing the elf as well?"

"No."

"What will your vampire do in Scotland?"

"I'm not sure he knows yet. He'll be with their King for a while I guess."

"That doesn't sound very ambitious."

"He'll need to pay his dues I figure. Bottom rung, and all that."

"A curious decision, to leave a respected position."

"That's funny coming from you."

"Your meaning?"

"It's just that I figure his reasons are the same as yours, in essentials if not specifics. It's just too volatile in America. Too much happens that is beyond anyone's control. Scotland is more isolated. More stable. It's a better place to just live."

The conversation fell away for a while, and I was left alone with my thoughts. I hoped I was right, that where I was headed was a place I could resume a nice, stable life that belonged almost entirely to me.

I returned to Deamhanbeinn with a far lighter heart than I had left it. Mintah vanished at the airport, leaving my luggage and me to ride home with an eagle named Nyek. We didn't talk much, but I was getting used that. It was just their way.

It wasn't until two weeks later that I saw Eric, though I did hear from him a couple of nights after he arrived in the country. During that time I moved into my house, and only then did I discover that it came with a resident stray cat. The fat old tom was destined to remain an outdoors animal, but he let me get close enough to pet him, and the food I set out by the back door was routinely consumed.

I'd been wary of the animal at first, but when Mr. Hob came out to help me set up the wards he took a thorough look and assured me that Bubba (which is what I'd been calling him) was just an ordinary cat. I refused when he offered to take the animal home so he could eat it. I'm almost positive that he hadn't been making a joke.

I had attended my first Sunday service at one of the three churches in town. For my first foray, I just chose the one with the prettiest building. That was one thing Scotland had no shortage of; beautiful old churches. The people were nice enough, and I met Rebecca Mowery, a hairdresser who owned her own beauty shop. I was sold as soon as she mentioned they have a tanning bed. Normally by this time a year my summer glow is well under way, but it was barely warm enough to be out in a just a sweater, let alone one of my bikinis.

I ended up hiring the vampire, and one of the half-demons who had just graduated from college. I had intended to hire a woman, both because I missed the professional companionship of Brenda and Holly, and as part of an unofficial affirmative action policy, but in the end the two I picked were the best candidates. Mintah was content. He said that with the vampire as part of the team, we might have more opportunity for direct recovery, which meant field work, which was thrilling. The subtext was that we would be glamouring our way in to other people's sites and removing anything supe-related straight from the source. I forced myself to ignore the moral greyness of that scenario and allowed excitement at the prospect.

When my vampire finally did make his appearance, it was in a blood red Jaguar convertible. I didn't think it was possible to get flashier than his old car, but he had managed it, and quickly, too! I was still pricing out Subaru's.

I let out a whistle of appreciation and started to walk towards the driveway, but he met me en route, lifting me clear off the ground for an amazing kiss. That just does not get old.

"What happened to the 'vette?" I asked, breathlessly.

"That is your first question?" he teased.

I shrugged with a smile.

"Bobby is selling the Corvette. I could never drive that here. Too American. This is a British car. It will fit in better."

Though he was grinning, I didn't get the impression that he was being ironic, so I just laughed.

"You don't like it?" he asked.

"It's a great car, Eric. Come inside, I'll show you around."

Eric approved of the house, saying that it reminded him of a place he had once lived and also that it suited me. I talked about my work and he talked about vampires. He talked a lot about vampires. I was aware that one of the reasons Eric liked me so much (and this was true for me of him as well) was the fact that he could speak freely without the risk of divulging supernatural top secrets. He might keep his personal plans close to the vest, but the everyday order of his world was something I understood, at least in theory. This was a whole 'nother level of sharing he was doing.

I heard all about King Walter and his courtiers. Where Sophie-Anne had been a sort of nebulous figure to fear and respect, Walter had an actual personality. He was gruff and blunt, almost to the point of being uncouth. He was incredibly shrewd, and didn't seem truck with the oblique duplicity that characterized the vampires Eric was used to dealing with.

"But that's good, isn't it? Isn't it better without the need to analyze everything you hear six layers deep?"

"It's difficult to trust it. What if I am being played?"

"What do the others in his court say?"

"They seem to be mostly the same. Some are not happy about our arrival, which is a given, but they do not bother to conceal it."

"So there's animosity?"

"To a degree. We are coming from America. The king chose to accept us with little to go on but the meeting with Pam and my reputation. Of course they want to know why we are really here, if we pose a threat to their positions."

"That sounds very normal. It's like that with people in any situation; school, work..."

"It is normal. I have seen it often, but I am unaccustomed to being on the receiving end. I am still learning the ways and means of the vampires in this country, but soon enough I will adapt, and they will be more accepting of me."

I couldn't help but smile. In a human that would be considered an upbeat, can-do attitude. In Eric, it was just the quickest path to success, simple as that.

"Do you have a job or anything? Like how you used to make your vamps go to Fangtasia?"

"No. Well, obviously I would need to make myself available to the King and his Lords at any time, but so far there have been no direct requests. I have been appearing at the Court every evening until we are dismissed. I have had some more time to work on this manuscript, but for the most part I have been acclimating. I do have something important to tell you, however."

"Sure," I agreed.

"It pertains to one of the laws of this land. For reasons of population control, the King does not permit the vampires in his country to turn a human unless they have been residents of this country for ten years. This includes immigrants as well as those who are newly turned themselves."

"Okay."

"This does not concern you?"

"Why should it? I've told you, Eric, I don't want to be a vampire."

"But you may change your mind. In the next ten years, you may start to age."

"I should hope so," I scoffed, and then a shiver of doubt ran through me. "Is that going to be a problem for you?"

"It is not a problem for me, lover," he said, as if the possibility that he would like me any less once I started to wrinkle and wilt was preposterous. I could love him for that. I just hope he meant it. "But you may feel differently."

"I don't think so, but go ahead and ask me again in ten years. But not before then."

He answered by kissing my neck, which was not an answer at all, but I couldn't find it in me to mind at that moment. I'd been clear, and that was all there was to say on the subject.

Eric left with just enough time to make it back to Glasgow before dawn, promising to return in a day or two. I went with him to the door, but he paused when he opened it, and then shut it again abruptly.

"What's wrong?"

"There is dead animal on your doorstep."

"What? What kind of animal?"

He opened the door again and I peeked around to see that indeed there was a dead baby bunny on the slate.

"Is this some kind of warning?" Eric asked.

"I don't think so," I mused. "I'm pretty sure it's a housewarming present."

"Is this a custom among the fae? I have never heard of it."

"It's a custom among cats. There's one who lives around here somewhere. I've been feeding him. I named him Bubba."

Eric let out a laugh as if that were the most amusing thing he had ever heard.

"I don't understand what's funny about that."

"I will ask Pam to explain it. I must be going to beat the sun. Do you want me to move this?"

"I'll bury it in the morning. I don't want to offend him by just throwing it somewhere he'll find it."

I'd have to go and buy a shovel.

"You are very funny sometimes, my love."

"Thanks," I said, bemused. "Well go on then."

"Goodnight, my Sookie."

"Goodnight, Eric."

It was not until he had driven away that his words, or rather, word, registered with me. Had it been a slip? No, Eric didn't make slips. I decided to return the sentiment the next time I saw him. I'd known weeks and weeks ago that I could love him, and now that we were reunited, I was sure that I did.

A small black figure brushed against my ankle, and I leaned down to scratch my new cat under the chin.

"Thanks for the gift, Bub."

He purred a little, and then sauntered off into the night. I smiled after him and shut the door.

Hours later, I dug a shallow grave for Peter Cottontail back behind the house. It was a strange sort of Christening. It just isn't home until you've buried a body. Well, it was now, and it felt like I belonged here.

Things were going to be just fine, I thought to myself.

Welcome home, Sookie Stackhouse.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed reading the story. I certainly enjoyed writing it.

I have a couple of closing remarks...

I'm sincerely grateful to Charlaine Harris for creating characters that I absolutely adore.

I'm incredibly thankful to have had FiniteAnarchy to beta this story - and by "beta" I don't just mean 'yes-woman pre-reader.' She's been a critical editor, a diligent resource both inside and outside of canon, a proofreader... and also a cheerleader and friend. As Sookie would say, I got major lucky to connect with her. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I also have a couple of requests...

I would really appreciate hearing from you about the story, now it's concluded. I'm open to critical feedback, be it technical or editorial, as well as the usual encouragements! I'd love to know what you thought of it, be it in the form of a review or a private message.

It would also be cool if those of you who really enjoyed the story would mark it as a favorite.

And an announcement...

You can find me on twitter at chicpea9, and I've made a new wordpress site with the same name. Links are on my profile page. You should definitely come follow me.