Not gonna say much since I'm sure you're all very excited to get to Eric goodness and find out what happens when he gets back to Sookie's house. I would like to take a moment to thank all of you, the response to this story has been phenomenal. This one is for you wonderful person whoever you are and wherever you may be.

Chapter 6 Whiskers On Kittens

Eric

That morning I had to pull myself from her side so I could be at my home before dawn. As much as I hated it, I had things to do before I could return to her. I had to do paperwork to keep the club running and I had to start two new vampires tonight. Two of my own are being promoted to enforcers and someone has to fill their positions, King Bill chose to have my handyman and club worker replaced by vampires from Mississippi.

They weren't the first either. Bill has been integrating the vampires of Louisiana and Mississippi far too much for my liking. There have been six new comers in Area 5 alone. I for one don't like it, I don't trust these vampires. Most of them seem to be strong arms, it seems that my King is preparing for trouble.

Louisiana has been very aggressive to our kind its true but no more than anywhere else in the South really. This speaks of something else, something more sinister than countering the humans. Most posed very little threat, so unless he thinks something bigger is going on he has little reason to be so aggressive.

His interest in Sookie is also most troubling. He knows what she can do and he wants her even if she no longer wants him and I'm not sure he will take no for an answer. He's up to something and I have no doubt that it involves my true death as well as any others who don't support his agenda, I'm even more worried by the fact that I have no idea what his agenda is.

He never made much sense to me, I can only assume he wants power-to rise through the ranks. He may be a king but he's not very well respected. Him being made king was political and everyone knows it, he has not earned the right to rule and his position is strenuous at best.

While no one has risen to challenge him as of yet, if he makes a big enough mistake it'll happen before he even knows what's happening...

*Forgetting*

My duties to my business didn't take much brain power. I was doing re-orders and payroll mostly. These things I could do in my sleep and I enjoyed the simplicity. Right now I was dealing with things that could be predicted, 0s and 1s. It didn't take me long to put my business in order, for another it could have taken almost all night but I had been doing this for a very long time and I sped through it.

Pam wasn't working tonight but I knew all the others who were and while they weren't as dear to me as she was I still knew them and I greeted them on my way out. Unfortunately my new people were at Bill's mansion and I had been asked to go there to brief them on what was expected of them and take them to where they were going to be staying after that.

The backseat of my Ferrari wasn't very comfortable but it would have to do. I really wasn't looking forward to the flak these two would bring on themselves and by extension all the vampires living in the area but it is what it is and there's nothing I can do about it but hope that if I warn them about the situation here they'll moderate their behavior accordingly.

Benjamin Fenstein wasn't exactly what I'd expected, I'd been told he was gay but who knows what that means anymore. When Bill told me that my new people would be from Mississippi I'd asked him for people that would be able to blend into our little corner of hicks-ville.

Benji didn't look like he would cause too much of a fuss, Erica Waldemar was a different story. She looked the part well enough but there was something in her eyes though that told me she could be trouble. Worse she looked ambitious. She wouldn't be happy doing my grunt work for very long and that was going to be a problem.

She didn't look like much but that's how most female vampires operated, preying on the human conception that females were weak and vulnerable. By the time they realized just how badly they'd underestimated her they were already dead. She wasn't as old as I was but she was a product of harsher times, the product of a fierce struggle to survive.

Benji was younger than she was but not by much. He was simply one of the few who realized how futile antagonizing the humans would be. Vampires like that were rare though and I wondered how deeply that resolve ran and whether it stemmed from a respect for humanity or merely being able to see the consequences of moves before they were made.

He would fit in well here and I would gladly trust him in all of my properties, even my own home. Erica was another story, even if she wasn't placed close to me with the express purpose of moving against me she would hurt the cause for us and cause inner turmoil in her inevitable struggle for power.

Denobia Oren was here as well along with the king of course who observed me carefully as I looked over my new vampires. I was glad to see Denobia, Bill made a good choice in acquiring her. She was one of his lieutenants and kept him grounded.

"Things have changed for us. We can't just go around hurting humans and hope they don't notice. They know better know. Some of them used to believe that most of us just wanted to live our lives quietly...thanks to Russel Edgington they know what we can do to them, what many of us would do to them. I don't care what you think, I don't care about your politics. Cause trouble in my area and you will be dealt with severely. Tensions between the humans and our kind have never been higher, if we don't toe the line this could all blow up in our faces. Is that understood?"

Erica of course had to say something, "What are you saying exactly?"

Putting on a big fake smile I said, "I'm glad you asked so I can make this very clear. No provocation, no retaliation. It may be a great inconvenience to you but it is imperative to our agenda that no vampire be seen or recorded harming a human, even public feeding is not allowed. You will go about your lives as ordinarily and boringly as possible. Humans see us as mindless killing machines, you are not to reveal that you are vampire. They don't see us as people too and in that they are greatly mistaken but if they see you as a vampire they will never accept you and may even attempt to destroy you."

Erica glared, she wasn't happy but her kind never was. Benji seemed concerned as he realized that he may have to conceal his carnal appetites in an effort to keep the peace.

"Unfortunately that also means putting up a semblance of traditional values, even if its only a semblance they must see you as average Americans."

This pissed Erica off even more. She wasn't one to be told what to do and she would not be moderated to placate the masses. As much as ticking her off amused me I needed her to understand that in order to survive as a species we must break the human habit of seeing us as creatures of vice and excess.

"Now before you bark at me, these people are very prejudiced and many will actively cast out and persecute those who do not act properly. If you go out there and make a spectacle of yourself they will hunt you down. Upset the apple cart and it'll come after you with stakes and Molotov cocktails. It will also damage the reputation of every vampire in this area."

"Whatever I can do the sweet and innocent routine, its just an act for most of them anyway." Was Erica's only reply. Benji said nothing but I could tell he was pleased that as far as I was concerned he could do what he liked, court whom he wished behind closed doors.

After I was done speaking to them I led them outside to my car. Erica was happy it wasn't a sad piece of shit but not about having to sit in the back with Benji. She immediately asked to sit in the passenger seat, sneering at Benji. When I didn't respond she assumed assent which was a mistake.

"You misunderstand your place here. I told you to sit in the back and that's what you will do and you will sit with Benji without complaint. He is your equal. I do not have to explain my reasons for my request, you will comply or you will find my next actions most unpleasant."

She did not respond. This chick was used to being the queen bee but I'll be damned if she tries that shit on me. Time to knock her down a few pegs. Moving like lightning I picked her up and threw her in the back seat belting her in. I moved the seat back into position and moved into the driver's seat. Patting the seat next to me I motioned for Benji to ride shotgun with me.

As I started her up I looked back in the mirror. Oh, she was pissed. As I drove off to drop her at the club I looked back from time to time in the short drive and smirked as she got more and more irritated huffing at the indignity of it. As soon as she was out of the car I headed in the direction of my house.

Benji looked puzzled but I simply told him that my plumbing was on the fritz and as I expected to be hosting a human there very soon I wanted it sorted out. I gave him a key so he could lock up when he was finished and directions to Pam's where he would be staying during the day until he made arrangements of his own.

*Forgetting*

After that I was unsure what to do. I thought last night merited a gesture of my devotion but I was unsure what would suffice. I figured flowers would be a good choice, something classic that bespoke of genuine attraction and interest. There was a florist not far from my house and although I wasn't privy to its exact location having never before needed its services before.

However I knew it was there because the scent of blossoms often carried on the wind to my house. Tonight I used it as a guide to find its location to procure a gift for Sookie. However I was at a loss as to what I would get exactly, hopefully there would be someone there to help me with my dilemma.

Thankfully when I pulled in they were still open but not for long so I moved swiftly to the door of the shop and entered. The clerk was sweeping as I entered but she stopped when she saw a potential customer. "I'd like to purchase a bouquet."

"Sure thing." She moved to the counter to write up my order.

"What kind of flowers would you like?"

"Well I'm not sure exactly. My...relationship with a woman has recently escalated and I wish to make my romantic intentions known. I'm not exactly well versed in the language of flowers. I was hoping you could suggest something to me that would be excessively and unmistakably romantic in nature?"

"Sure thing, a dozen red roses should do the trick. Would you like to pick them out yourself?" Gesturing to the case next to her which I now observed displayed buckets of several different types of flowers. Moving to it she pulled out a bucket that had well more than a dozen blooms in it. Apparently these were the roses she spoke of and they were indeed lovely.

"I think I would prefer you to choose. I would like ones that are midway through their transformation." Nodding she moved to the desk once more, carrying the bucket with her.

"Yes, that sounds lovely and you said you wanted a dozen?"

"Yes." I looked around the shop as she went about turning the stems she had chosen into a bouquet. I noticed a multitude of stuffed animals. One in particular caught my eye. There was one in a vibrant red and considering her affection for the creature it represented I thought it rather appropriate and put it on the counter.

"And this too? Would you like a gift bag?"

I answered yes to both questions and after she was done ringing up my purchase she helped me pick one out and wrapped the toy int tissue paper and tucked it into the bag. I thanked her most profusely for her assistance and exited the shop with my purchases.

The bag with the toy I tossed on the floor. I was more careful with the flowers, them I placed gently on the seat next to mine. This time when I started my vehicle, my heart was light and I was almost giddy because I knew that each passing moment brought me closer to her.

*Forgetting*

I was practically humming as I pulled into the parking area of a certain little white house. Swiftly retrieving my gifts I flashed to the front door. Instead of just bursting in as I was now able, I knocked. While I waited for her to answer my summons I hid her gifts behind my back.

Sometime between the florist and my arrival here I had begun to grin widely in a genuine smile. When I heard her steps moving toward the door my smile grew until I thought it would leap off my face for being so large. I had not been this happy in a very long time. This troubled me. What the hell had I been doing with my time that I was never happy?

Sookie opened the door and I was struck by the odd expression on her face. She motioned for me to come in. She went inside expecting me to follow her, when I didn't she turned back to me. Finally seeing the ridiculous smile on my face her expression turned to curiosity.

I could not have picked a better moment to reveal the gifts I had procured for her. As she took the flowers from me and pressed them to her face, her expression was wonderfully conflicted. I could tell that during the day some of her anger had resurfaced but she was still touched by my gift and she hadn't even opened the bag yet.

Not fazed by her attitude I trust the bag toward her grinning like a fool. Confusion once again claimed her features but she did not reach for the bag. Instead she motioned for me to follow her and went into the kitchen. She searched around for a moment for something to put the roses in. It took her a minute but she did manage to locate a suitable vessel.

Having found something to put them in she brought it to the sink to put water in it. Then she extracted the blooms from their wrapping and after trimming them placed them in the vase.

Now that she was done messing around with her flowers her hands were ready to receive the bag that held the second part of her gift. She took it hesitantly, almost as if she was afraid it would explode or something. When she finally got the object free of the paper and out of the bag, she was shocked to find it was only a stuffed cat.

I watched as she admired the soft red fur of the stuffed creature. She wasn't quite sure what to make of the creature. "Well when I saw it in the flower shop I thought it would be appreciate. I remembered that you once had a cat and it matched the bouquet so nicely."

Holding it to her chest she said, "This is nice and all but we still have a lot to talk about. Maybe hold off on the gifts until we get this sorted out."

"There is nothing to sort out I have done this to protect you." My comment seemed to anger so when she spoke next her voice was full of venom.

"Protect me! How is buying my house supposed to protect me?"

"Just because you could prevent vampires from entering your home did not make you safe, if you could do that now you would not be safe. If a vampire truly wished to hurt you it would be pitifully easy..."

"Damn it Eric! This is my home you had no right!"

"It still is your home but by me owning the property it and all dwelling there are safeguarded by my position amongst the vampires..."

"So what you think you own me now? MY HOUSE DOES NOT COME WITH ME INSIDE YOU BASTARD!"

"Well if that's the case I seriously over paid."

"You don't own me Eric. How many times do I have to say it?"

"Then I shall just have to convince you otherwise. You have fascinated me from the first moment I met you. What I realize now is that there are really two Sookie's. The human Sookie fiercely struggling to have a normal life and fairy Sookie..."

"You think if you sweet talk me enough that one day my legs are just going to magically open for you."

"Ooh, that must be fairy Sookie. I like when she comes out. You should let her speak for you more often."

"And I'm already sorry I said it."

"Calm down Sookie, I wouldn't dream of assuming such a thing without your consent. Now if you would be mine I could give you whatever you could possibly need."

"In exchange for what? Sex? My blood? You want to own me, to control me and I will not stand for it."

"I want to protect you. I have never in my 1000 years on this Earth met another being like you. You are valuable to me, precious to me because you are you. I care for you as I have for few others in my existence. I have wooed many women but my attentions have seldom been serious."

"See let me stop you there, its stuff like that. I never know when you're being serious. You do something like this for me and then you betray me. With you I'll always be waiting for the other shoe to drop. There's always something or someone more important to you and then where will I be?"

"Sookie how many women do you think I bring roses to?"

"All of them! You're a master manipulator and I'll never know whether you mean anything or whether its all bullshit, you're just saying to get me to trust you. Say I agree to be yours? What then?"

"If you do it will be completely separate from any relationship between us. It will be for protection, all I ask in return is that you work for me as you agreed to when you we're Bill's. If you don't belong to a vampire, Bill who is now a king can do whatever he wants to you. I do not wish to see that happen. If you were mine, he and every other vampire would have to respect that. I do wish to be romantically involved with you, however it will not affect my arrangement to protect you. I intend to woo you as men of this time woo their women."

"Hold on a minute. I need time to think about this."

"I would think quickly. Bill has been moving vampires from Mississippi to Louisiana, a lot of them. He's up to something and I bet you're a part of it willing or not. Working for me would simply make it so that I could protect you without anyone questioning it. Even if you do not give me your blood, which is fine, owning you would give me more options in that regard and as I said others would have to respect that you are mine."

"So you'll own me but not..."

"Yes, well kind of. I know you're upset about the house but now vampires can't just come here looking around."

"Whatever. Can you please go? I need to think about this, a lot." I just stood there and when I made no move to leave she spoke again. "Please? This is still my house. I'm tired and I really don't want to deal with your smirky ass right now."

"As you wish milady Sookie." This had not gone quite as well as I'd hoped but at least she'd heard me out so I left without further protest. Running to the front door I took flight after I had cleared her house.

Sookie's reaction to all this will be in the next chapter. I had no idea what to call this chapter because I had planned it to be a part of the last chapter. So I called it 'Whiskers On Kittens' because it amused me. Despite what she said this won't be the last gift he gives her. He isn't going to give up that easy cocky bastard that he is.