Melanie:

“Eric! Get back here right now!” I screamed running in his direction but with his vampire speed it was no use.

Sookie ran after me, panting for breath as we finally stopped running. “He could be anywhere.”

“We have to look for him. Dawn is less than an hour away. The fairy blood will only keep him safe for so long.” I managed to say between heavy breaths.

“I’ll call Alcide. Maybe he can pick up his scent and lead us to him.” She nodded her head for us to return to the house.

“I have to keep looking for him. You head back and call Alcide. Grab a blanket just in case.”

“Mel, you can’t go through the woods alone. Just come back and we’ll find him together.”

“No! I’m not going back without him. Just hurry, please.” I waved at her before running deeper into the trees.

It was getting lighter out and my anxiety was getting the best of me. Anything could get to him while he was like this. He had no recollection of anyone or anything and I wasn’t sure how much he even knew about being a vampire. I hadn’t been this scared since Sookie’s disappearance. I suppose this was something I should’ve been accustomed too with almost everyone in my life disappearing at one time or another, but it never got easier.

The more I walked through the woods, the more time I had to think. Eric had told me of times when he basically walked into traps set by Bill but this – this was pure evil. I couldn’t put together what his plan was but if Bill needed approval from the AVL to kill Eric this would be a place to start. With Eric not being able to remember a goddamn thing, Bill could pin anything on him and I would be damned if I let that happen. Pam better find something soon. With Eric’s erratic behavior, I wasn’t sure how long I could keep him hidden. It would only be a matter of time before Bill was knocking on my door asking for him.

“Mel, we got him. He’s in the lake.”

I froze, looking up at the sun now beating down overhead.

“Is he okay? I’m heading your way.”

“No. I think the fairy blood is wearing off. He’s starting to burn. I covered him with a blanket. He’s headed for the house.”

“Shit. Shit. Shit!” I mumbled as I started running back towards the house.

“Eric!” I yelled breathlessly as I ran inside. “Eric?!”

“Down here.” I heard his voice coming from the cubby.

“Oh thank god!” I hurried down the ladder to throw my arms around him. “Don’t you ever do that to me again!”

His arms wrapped around me, hugging me as close to him as he could. I could feel the heat coming off his body while he was still healing from the sun burn.

“You have the bleeds.” You pulled away, wiping blood leaking from his ear. “It’s time for you to get some sleep.”

“I don’t want to sleep.” He protested, looking down at you.

“You have to get some rest. You got all burned up today.” You sat him down, checking on his back from under the blanket. You could feel him sniffing your neck as you leaned over him and pulled away. “You’re healing quickly. Now lay down and close your eyes.”

“No.”

“Yes. Babe, you have too or you’re going to bleed everywhere.”

“I know what the bleeds are.” He hung his head.

“Well fine, then you can clean it up. I’m not your maid.”

“Are you mad at me?” He asked, looking up at me with innocent puppy eyes.

“You had me worried sick Eric. You’re not yourself and there are bad people after you. I refuse to lose you too. So please, just get some rest for now.”

“Okay. I’m sorry Melanie.”

“I’m going to have someone working on the cubby while it’s still daylight but I need you to stay down here okay? Just until I know it’s safe for you to come out.”

I looked down at him as he sat on the bed, eyes wide like a young child who’d been scolded. Your heart hurt again as you turned away to climb the ladder, this time making sure to lock the cubby from the outside.

He cared for me despite not remembering a thing. It showed that our connection was deeper than anything I could’ve dreamed of. Even under different circumstances, we were drawn to each other. Like…like soulmates? I had never been one to believe in that shit but I didn’t believe in a lot of things until I met him.

Still it hurt to see him in such a way. We had gone through hell and back to get to where we were. Worked day in and day out to overcome everything pulling us apart. We laughed, we cried, we fought, we made up and most importantly we loved. We loved in a way you only saw in movies or books. In a way that connected us beyond anything explicable. We were one. Mind. Body. Soul. Now that had all been erased from him. He may have known he was attracted to me, cared for me in his own way, but he was robbed of everything that we had once held so sacred and someone was going to pay.

“Are you okay?” Sookie asked as I walked into the kitchen.

I must’ve looked as defeated as I felt because even Alcide’s face seemed to soften at my approach.

“I have to call someone to adjust the cubby, make it look like a closet or something. If Bill comes, he’ll rip this house apart looking for him.”

“You need to get some rest, Mel. We can worry about that later.” She offered, placing a cup of tea in front of me.

“No. It has to be done during the day while all the vampires are asleep.” I pushed the tea away, opting to make myself a cup of coffee.

“Sookie told me what happened – ” Alcide spoke up.

I looked at Sookie before looking back at him. From what I’d known about this man, he wasn’t a huge fan of Eric. With him as weak as he was, trusting anyone with this situation was difficult. I wasn’t sure how much Sookie had told him but it was best to keep him at a safe distance.

“But I’m here for you two. Anything you need.” He finished.

“Thanks,” I said dryly. “But when I find who did this, I’ll kill them myself.”

“I can see why Northman chose her. Sexy as hell and fiercely loyal to her man. Mm mm mm.”

I could hear his thoughts as he looked at me but ignored it all together. “How’s Debbie? She know you’re over here?”

“Yeah, speaking of. I should probably get back.” He stood from his leaning stance against the counter, looking between Sookie and I. “Like I said, you need anything – you call.”

We both nodded, Sookie giving him a smitten smile as she went to walk him out the door. He’d had a soft spot for the two of us since he met and he’d been a pretty good ally to have since, but when it came to Eric’s best interest, I wasn’t sure I could trust anyone other than Pam.

OOO

It was well past dark and I hadn’t heard anything from Pam yet. Eric hadn’t been making a sound and while at first I thought it was a good thing, guilt started to wash over me for keeping him locked like some prisoner in his own home. Even if it was for his own safety.

I unlocked the wardrobe and flipped the floorboards that now opened into the cubby. After a full day’s work and an extremely hefty price, the technician managed to do an incredible job disguising it as a regular closet, even going as far as hanging a few of our coats in it and placing shoes along the bottom.

“Eric?” I called down as I stepped down the ladder.

He didn’t respond. Instead he remained curled onto his side, merely lifting his eyes to look my way. He looked troubled as his face hung in sadness.

“You’ve been quiet.” I smiled softly, walking over to the bed. “This isn’t like you.”

“Yes it is.” He mumbled, returning his eyes to look down at the ground.

“No it’s not. The real Eric -”

“I am real.” He stopped me.

I sighed, kneeling down beside the bed to face him as my fingers found their way into his hair, brushing it back. “Yes, you are. I only meant the Eric with memories. Not much gets him down. Sure he’s an asshole and a troublemaker, but he’s a happy vampire. My happy vampire.”

Eric sighed, not moving to look at me. “I’ll never get to swim in the sun again. Never feel the heat on my skin. Never see the daylight in your hair.”

I smiled as best as I could. I hadn’t realized how a thousand years of darkness could have affected him. “I always thought I looked better under the starlight.” I offered.

He looked at me before turning to sit at the edge of the bed. “You look beautiful under any light.”

I joined him on the bed, leaning against him to press a soft kiss on his shoulder. “I wish I knew what to say to make you feel better.”

“You think I’m weak?” He asked again, staring at the wall.

“No -” I tried but he cut me off.

“You want the Eric who doesn’t feel.”

“That’s not it -”

“If you kiss me, I promise to be happy.” He gave the hint of a smile.

Maybe he did have parts of the real Eric inside of him. “If kissing you is all it took to make you happy, I’d never stop.”

His smile came through as he leaned in to kiss me, his hand resting against my cheek before he suddenly pulled away. “Someone’s at the door.”

My heart stopped as I stood. I heard footsteps above me and knew Sookie was going to answer but I needed to lock this up quickly. “Don’t come up.” I warned him as I rushed to get up the stairs and readjust the wardrobe to lock the cubby.

I walked towards towards the front door to see Sookie talking to Bill. He noticed me over her shoulder as I approached, already on the defensive.

“What do you want?” Sookie smiled playfully at him. I prayed it was an act.

“Eric.” He smiled at her before returning his eyes to me.

“He’s gone.” She returned his attention towards herself.

Bill looked genuinely confused. “Wasn’t it the night before last you were begging me to get him out of here?”

“What?” I stepped forward, pushing her back against the door. “You did what?”

“Where is he, Melanie?” His voice got serious as he looked at me.

“I don’t know. He never came home last night. I’ve tried calling him – looking for him -”

Sookie straightened herself out, returning her gaze to Bill as she smiled coyly. “I thought you had come through for me.”

His face softened once more. “Did he say where he was going when he disappeared?”

“No, he was gone before I came back from the grocery store.” I crossed my arms.

“Okay.” He nodded, looking between the two of us. “Well, you see, we’ve searched his farm in Oland, and his apartment in Paris, and the plantation in Barbados, and I mean we’ve looked everywhere. This is the one place that he owns that we haven’t searched so with your permission -”

“Why? Why are you looking for him?” I shut the door behind me. “I’m not going to let you and your goons stomp around my house, tearing it apart. Haven’t you do enough to me and my family?”

“It will only be me.” He moved towards the door.

“No.” Sookie stepped forward. “This is her home too. There won’t be any search.”

“I’m sorry,” He moved me out of the way before going inside.

Sookie and I held our breaths as he walked through the house. I followed him closely as he made his way through our kitchen, dining room, and living room. He opened all the closets and doors he could find.

“How can you do this?” Sookie asked as we both walked around behind him.

“I have to. It’s my responsibility.” He reached the wardrobe. Unlocking the clip before pulling it open and I felt ready to faint.

“What reason do you have not to trust me?” Sookie made him freeze. “When have I lied to you? Ever?”

He stared at the random junk I had thrown in there for a moment as if processing her question. Turning towards us, he lowered his eyes to the ground. “You’re right.”

Without another word he showed himself out and disappeared into the night. I could see Sookie felt horrible for lying to him now but I was furious.

“You.” I pointed at her, walking up to her as she walked backwards. My tone was low and threatening, more so than ever before. “You went to Bill Compton to get rid of Eric?”

“I had to!” She put her hands up trying to calm me down. “I was upset! I couldn’t believe you sold him the house. OUR house. ”

“How could you do this to your own sister? After all the times I was behind you when you defended Bill? After all the times I’ve defended you!”

“Mel -”

“All this time I thought it was just a coincidence that trouble started as soon as you came back. We had gone a full year without any incident after you left. Now I know that this too was your fault. You are the reason Bill wants to get rid of Eric. You were the reason he was sent to those witches. You are the reason my husband doesn’t remember me!”

I could hear my voice cracking but the anger within me had been bottled long enough. This was the ultimate betrayal. From my own sister out of all people.

“I didn’t know he would so this! Melanie, I’m sorry! At least I got rid of him for now!”

“Just like you didn’t know Eggs would kill himself? Or how you didn’t know that Bill was working against us the whole time?” My eyes stung with unshed tears. “You were supposed to trust me!”

“Melanie, I don’t know what to say to undo what I did. All I can do is promise that I will fix this. We will get Eric’s memories back. I swear to you.” She tried to reach for me but I smacked her hand away.

“Get out of my sight Sookie Stackhouse.” She paused, looking hurt for a moment until I screamed at her. “Go!”

She backed away, running up the stairs to her room. I sank onto the couch, head in my hands unable to fight back the tears any longer.

---

 

Eric:

I opened the bedroom door slowly, quietly, to see Melanie asleep on the bed. Her body covered only in a black lace bra and underwear that molded perfectly to her ass. The sheets caressing the bare skin of her toned stomach, contrasting against her tan skin. Her golden hair shined in the moonlight coming from her window as it fanned over her pillow. I couldn’t help but stare in awe as I admired the view.

A hand landed on my shoulder as a shorter, unfamiliar man, with the look of a young boy.

“Hello, Eric.” He smiled at me, touching my face before his attention turned towards Melanie.

He walked over placing his hand on her leg and running it up her thigh before leaning in to smell her neck. His nose brushing against her skin. I rushed to push him off of her.

“Don’t touch her.” I warned him, holding my arm out to keep him at a distance.

“She’s beautiful.” He said breathlessly, staring down at her before dropping his fangs.

“Who are you?”

“Drink with me.” He growled. “We will drain her and walk in the sun together.”

“No.” I shook my head, not taking my eyes off him.

He rushed to my side, his hand grabbing my neck as he squeezed the breath from me. I sank to my knees at his grip, looking up at him.

“You are incapable of love.” He looked down at me. “You are damned.”

My eyes looked over at her, sleeping peacefully. “She can redeem me.”

The man laughed. “You cannot be saved. You are a creature of death. You are only capable of one thing, and it is not love. Drink now.”

He grabbed my head, moving it towards her. “Stop fighting your nature! Drink!”

My fangs sank into her. Her sweet blood running through my body as she screamed.

I owned my eyes to find I was still in the cubby. It was all a dream but my fangs were out. I needed to taste her.

 

---

 

Melanie:

The feeling of someone hovering over me made me open my eyes. I screamed, sitting up in a hurry at the sight of Eric on my bed with his fangs dropped. He quickly got off, retracting his fangs as he looked at me confused.

“Eric, what the hell?!”

He sighed, looking around as he tried to catch his breath. “I, uhm, had a bad dream. Can I lay with you?”

I looked up at him, still slightly shook from the way I’d been woken, but I knew I didn’t have the strength to deny him. “Come here.”

He smiled thankfully as he crawled into place next to me, turning to curl on his side. I ran my fingers down his back as he explained his nightmare. Godric had come to him in a dream, told him how he could never love or be loved and tried to force him to drink from me.

“He said I was evil.” He sniffled.

“It was just a dream, baby.” I tried to comfort him.

He turned his upper body to face me, looking up at me with blood stained cheeks from crying. “Am I evil?”

“You’re not Ghandi, but no. You’re not evil.”

He accepted my answer, turning to lay his head on my lap. I threw the sheets over him, keeping him close to me.
“I like being next to you.” He whispered.

I looked down at him as I stroked his hair with my fingertips. “Guess that’s why you asked me to marry you.”

He looked up at me, his eyes lighting up again. “What was I like as a husband?”
I smiled, thinking of all the ways I could describe him but no words doing the right amount of justice.

“Gentle, sweet, protective, strong, sexy, amazing lover …” I winked, watching as his cheeks filled with blush. “It was everything Godric wanted of you. He was the most human vampire I’d ever met. He would’ve been proud.”

“Did I make you proud?” His eyes searched mine.

“You did, baby. You sure did.” I smiled, leaning down to kiss his forehead.

“Would it be alright if I stayed here until sunrise?” He asked, laying his head back down on my lap.

“As long as you promise to keep your fangs to yourself big boy.”

“I promise.” He said, turning back on his side. I adjusted myself to lay next to him. His hand reached for my arm, throwing it over him as I curled against his back, holding him as the little spoon. “I would never hurt someone I feel as deeply about as you.”