En route to Fangtasia

[onceaviking]

He moves through the air, silent and fast, the crazed King of Mississippi and Louisiana next to him, cradling the slimy remains of his dead consort encased in crystal in his arms.

Honing in on Sookie.

He can feel her.
Giddy with relief. Having escaped.

And yes, there she is. Or rather, there is her tiny car.
And he can hear her too. Chattering away, high on adrenalin.
"..,happily married. And I'm not a waitress anymore. I'm - I'm going to college. No! I'm a real estate agent, and I'm really rich."

Happily married? Happily married?!
Oh, for fuck's sake. She wants to play house with Bill Compton. And he had been so sure he'd planted enough doubt in her mind.

And then there's the dulcet tones of Compton, trying to one up her in the sap department.
"I teach third grade," he says, voice sincere, "and I love my job."

Third grade?!

And he sounds like he means it. He's either a much better actor than Eric would ever have given him credit for, or he's beginning to believe his own mainstreaming bullshit.

William Compton, the shredder of whores, no wait, sorry, the third grade teacher.

Next to him, Edginton starts laughing.
Manically.
It drowns out some equally, sappy shit about gardening and dinner parties.

Then Sookie says, "We don't even know Eric Northman."
"Everything is peaceful."

They land in the road in front of the speeding car.

Sookie screams.

Edgington slams his hand down on the hood and the car's rear end lifts high into the air, almost toppling over, and Eric can't help himself, quickly bending to see if she is alright. To make sure that she is alright.

He needs her alive for this.

Comments

[dobadthings]

Bill shakes his head. He doesn't like it. He doesn't fucking like it.

"...And he'll burn when her blood wears off."

He still doesn't like it.

He glances back at the door, then back at Eric.

"Are you sure he believes you?"

[onceaviking]

"I've been very convincing," Eric replies, glancing away.

"I'll be even more convincing now."
Flatly.

"He'll start wondering what is taking us so long," he says as he starts striding toward the door. Expecting Bill to follow.
Because that is who Bill is.

[dobadthings]

Bill will need to play along if this is going to work. At this point it seems like a long shot...but he'll have to betray Sookie.

Again.

Sucking it up and setting his jaw, he follows Eric's lead.

Once inside, he sees Sookie seated at a table, her arms defiantly folded while Russell hovers still carrying the crystal urn.

And then there's Pam. She's wearing blue rubber gloves and holding up a long length of silver chain. She rattles it at Bill.

"Bill! So nice of you to join us. Have a seat, why don't you?"

She invitingly pats the back of a chair. And glances up at Eric with a faint twitch of her lips.

[onceaviking]

Eric puts his large hand on Bill's neck and shoves him, face first, at the chair.
"Yes," he says, "Do sit down."

He can smell Sookie. Her fear. Her anger.

It's very distracting.

He turns his attention to Edgington.
"Are you ready?" he asks.
"Ready to taste fairy blood?"

Because he hadn't actually told him that part yet, afraid that he would not have believed him.

A fear that seems justified, as Edginton goes, "Fairies? You seriously expect me to believe she's fairy, a species extinct for millenia - if they ever exist at all? Do you think I wouldn't notice if there were fairies bouncing around in the world?"
His voice filled with scorn. Amused scorn, but scorn none the less.

"I didn't say she was full fairy. She's a human-fairy hybrid, which helped save her from detection. She may well be the last of her kind. Your only chance to walk in the sun."
Emphasizing it, because it is all he's got.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Edgington says. Unimpressed.

"Drink her blood," Eric says. Low and intense.
"You'll see."

[dobadthings]

Bill stumbles forward, almost knocking the chair over. Scowling at Eric over his shoulder, and then scowling in turn at Pam, he sits down heavily.

"Oh, cheer up," Pam mutters at him as she pulls his arms back and wraps the chains tightly around his wrists.

He hisses in pain as the silver burns into his skin. Teeth set in a grimace, he looks over at Sookie (seething, fearful) and wishes she didn't have to be the bait. Seems like that's all she ever is. Vampire bait. He dreads what he'll have to say to her...

As his strength drains and he starts to slump, he snaps his gaze toward Eric, eyes wide. Do the lies never end? Russell isn't fucking convinced at all!

[onceaviking]

And Sookie is just as disbelieving.
"Now that's just nuts!" she says, almost forgetting her fear momentarily.
Because, really? Even for Eric, this seems pretty far-fetched and desperate.

"Nothing in my blood is a supernatural sunscreen for y'all. Why would you even think that?"

It's a bad night when Russell Edginton is the voice of reason.
Well, and Bill of course.
She turns her face to him.
Expectantly.

[dobadthings]

Bill picks his head up and tries to sit up straighter. Meeting Sookie's eyes is a difficult task. But he has to be convincing, for her sake.

"Sookie, you're wrong," he manages to say, visibly rueful. "What Eric says is true. I never told you..."

It's partially true, at least. The part that Russell needs to hear.

[onceaviking]

"No!"
The shock and disbelief are plain to see on her face.
And Eric feels it too, the cold dead of being deserted and let down. And even in the midst of this, it is a sweet, sweet feeling. For how will he overcome this, the sweet and kind and good Bill Compton? How will he regain her trust?
He won't.

Edginton still looks both condescending and doubtful so Eric leans in a little and says, "Bill's experienced it for himself."

The condescension wins, "Oh, well, that's reassuring," Edgington replies. Scathingly. "A testimonial from the mendacious Mr. Compton."

At least, they agree about Bill.

SOokie is still in shock. But she's regained enough of her wherewithal to lay into Bill. "A new beginning? We'll start over?"
Hurt. Betrayed. Upset.

If only he could take her into his arms and calm her.
Kiss her.

He for pecs his thoughts back on track.

She really is the most distracting, little thing.

[dobadthings]

Sookie had always been so trusting, even the night they first met. He's tested it one too many times now, and each time it gets harder and harder to win it back. He was sure she would never take him back after what he'd done to her, losing control of his instincts, nearly draining her, and putting her in the hospital after their escape from Russell's mansion.

But the result of that incident is the only thing that can save her now. If Bill hadn't drunk so much of her blood, he'd never know what it could really do.

"I can't force you to believe it," he says to Russell earnestly, tearing his eyes away from Sookie, her hurt, the sting of betrayal.

"You'll have to see for yourself."

[onceaviking]

"Why are you doing this to me?"

He'll never regain her trust, the good Bill Compton. Not after this. He simply cannot. Eric is certain of it.

So hurt. So upset.

He would hold her, Eric. Soothe her. Kiss her.
No.
Focus.

[dobadthings]

This time Bill does look at her.

"We've tried fighting him," he says, pleading, imploring her to listen.

"We'll never win. If he develops a taste for your blood, he may let you live."

Except it doesn't really matter of Sookie doesn't trust him, now, or in the future.

The whole point now is to get Russell to believe him.

[onceaviking]

"Bill, please!" She sounds like she is on the verge of tears. All her pretty, warm sunlit dreams are being swallowed up by betrayal and Russell's considering gaze.

"So?" Eric says to Edgington.
He's buying it. He's sure if it.
He's taken the bait.

"I'm intrigued," Russell says, stroking his chin. Looking at Sookie. Sweet, delectable Sookie.

"Excellent."

They've got him. They've fucking got him.
Finally. Finally, finally, finally.

And while Sookie screams that she hates them all, Russell turns to Eric and says, "On one condition."

"Whatever you like," he says, trying not to let it show, not to let the relief and the elation color his voice. And then Edginton says, "You go first," and Eric smiles, a small, pleasant smile, and says, "I'd love to."

[lazy_but_loyal]

You go first.

Pam's eyes widen a bit as she looks to Eric. He seems way too calm, way too confident. But there's something in his eyes that doesn't sit right with her.

Second thoughts are starting to nag her now. She's not going to let on, though. Not in front of Russell.

"It's almost dawn," she says plainly.

[onceaviking]

"Should we arrange for accommodation for you, Bill? Or do you want to stay up and watch on the CCTV? " Eric asks.
So, yes, he is twisting the knife the bit. Got to keep it believable.

He is not looking at Sookie, because he cannot look at her.

And he is not looking at Pam either.

Now that the moment is here, he feels - calm. No, not calm.
Focused.

Yes, the focus is there now. Like it used to be. Just on the brink of battle.
He can do this.

[lazy_but_loyal]

Bill doesn't answer. He was never any good with snappy comebacks, but this isn't the time to be joking either. He gives him a low grunt and a slight roll of his eyes instead.

He turns to Sookie...who isn't looking at him either. She can't. And that hurts.

Meanwhile, Pam goes behind the bar to turn on the CCTV. The screen above the bar flickers on. Four cameras capture four different angles of the empty parking lot in front of Fangtasia. The light outside is still a bit bluish, the sun not yet having breached the horizon. But soon, very soon. Every vampire in the room can feel it.

[onceaviking]

"I'll just make sure everything is switched off in my office,"' Eric says.
Bill's chained up and Edginton has been convinced.
He can leave the room for a couple of minutes.

"I'll be right back."

He brushes past Edginton and manages avoiding looking at Pam.
And Sookie.

He does switch off his computer, once he reaches the office. And then he walks over to the shelf holding the crown.

His father's crown.

He strokes a finger along the etchings on the side.
The metal stays cold.

It should feel more momentous than it does.
His revenge.
His True Death.

He gets out a pair of handcuffs from his desk drawer and stuffs them in his front pocket.

He's ready.

As ready as he'll get.

The sun is close to the horizon now. He can feel it.
Soon.

He heads back, shutting the door behind him.

[lazy_but_loyal]

The images on the CCTV screen grow lighter and lighter as the sun rises.

Pam waits near the bar, keeping watch over things, while Russell tries to get Sookie into a chatty mood. He asks her all sorts of absurd questions about any fairy secrets she might be keeping from him, like if she can grant wishes or if she has wings. He sure talks a lot. A lot about shit. Bill exhaustedly looks on, slumped in his seat.

Those second thoughts that Pam was having are quickly becoming her first and foremost thoughts. A sense of worry and panic starts to seep in, and as much as she tries to suppress them for Eric's sake, she can't pretend that she's okay with this plan. And right now she doesn't want him to go through with it. There has to be another way. He doesn't have to die.

The door to the back rooms opens, and Pam turns around.

She quickly approaches Eric, stopping him before he goes any further.

"Don't do it," she says in a quiet but urgent tone, looking up at him.

"What if it doesn't work?"

She feels a small trickle at the corner of her eye.

[onceaviking]

"It'll work," he says, sounding a little preoccupied.
And then he looks down. And sees her.

Really sees her.

His Pamela.

"Come on. What's this?"
His eyes resting on her face. Her eyes.
His voice softening.

[lazy_but_loyal]

Pam needs Eric to look at her like that. To hear his voice as it is now. To know that she is his and always will be, whatever happens.

She shakes her head and rubs the inner corner of her eye with her fingertips.

"Nothing," she sniffs. "It's the bleeds."

[onceaviking]

His Pam.

He cradles her face in his big, cold hands.

"You know I love you more," he says quietly, "when you're cold and heartless."

She's his Progeny. He can say that if he wants to.
And he wants to.

[lazy_but_loyal]

It feels as if he's never held her closer than in this moment, never told her anything more true.

She doesn't take her eyes from his, and she nods firmly, reassured. She even feels a smile tugging at her lips.

[onceaviking]

He feels a smile spread on his own lips.
Small. Soft.
Full of meaning.

He bends down to press a kiss to her forehead. Closing his eyes. Letting himself feel.

He steps back, reaching up to stroke the back of his fingers down her cheek.

His Pam.

And then he strides past her, into the room. Over to Edgington.

"Shall we?"

And the madman is easy. Keyed up and roaring to go. "Do let's."

[lazy_but_loyal]

When he smiles, she smiles.

And she closes her eyes when he presses his lips to her forehead, his hands still cupping her face. Their century-long bond means too much to her for it to be broken, but she'll be strong for him. Always.

She follows Eric when he makes his way back over to Russell and company, and she moves to stand behind Bill.

Bill looks to Russell and Eric. "One caveat, gentlemen," he warns them. "If you drain her completely, that's the last fairy blood you'll ever drink."

[onceaviking]

"Mmm," Eric says. "Good point."
And a good thing, Bill thought to say so, or he would have had to himself. And that would not have been completely in character.

"We are schooled!" Edgington says, giddy with anticipation. He is practically bouncing.
"Onward to adventure!"

Sookie turns her head to Bill and says, "if this is you trying to help, thanks for nothing," her voice filled with bitterness and hurt, as Eric steps closer. Looking down at her.

One of his hands move, as of its own accord, to touch her face.
This was not the way he'd imagined this.
He swallows.
This was not the way it should have been at all. Her filled with fear and hate and loathing, him -

Russell says, "Oh, for God's sake," loudly, obviously bored with the emotional moment, and grabs hold of Sookie's hand, yanking it close to bite down on her wrist. And Eric follows suit, biting down on her neck.

Her taste is -

He runs his fingers into her hair. Trying to soothe her. To give her something else to focus on.
And then he forces himself away from her again.

"We'd better leave something for later," he says, feeling the lightness spread in his limbs. That slight intoxicating feel that would tell any vampire that yes, this is special, this is different.
This is a fairy.

Russell reluctantly lets go - and begins to laugh.
"Oh, my fucking god," he whoops. "Why have I not thrown myself at you sooner, you pretty, little fairy fuckbunny. This is amazing."

Eric smiles. The smile feels strange on his face, oil atop water.
"I'll just - pop outside then," he says to Edgington. "Don't leave me waiting for too long."

And he walks over to the door, the main entrance to Fangtasia, and he opens it, closing his eyes.

[dobadthings]

Sookie's hate hurts Bill more than the chains digging into his wrists. He wants so badly to explain. To tell her that this was the only way, and that she's going to be all right.

...Right?

He sees the way Eric looks at her now. She hates him, too, but somehow, he believes that Eric doesn't want to hurt her.

It still pisses him off that he'll get to drink from her. It's what Eric had always wanted. And now his chance has finally come.

Suddenly Russell grabs Sookie and bites her wrist. She screams in pain, it sears right through him, and he can't do a fucking thing about it. He looks to Eric.

Don't hurt her. Don't you fucking hurt her.

And all he can do is watch as Eric buries his fangs in her neck. He tugs at his chains with a growl, desperate to help her as she screams and writhes against the cold table top.

With two vampires drinking deeply from her it's not long before she stops screaming and struggling altogether. She lies limp on the table as Russell revels in the power of her blood. Bill can still feel and hear her heartbeat, but it's faint. Almost a whisper of what it should be.

He needs to feed her.

But Eric is already heading for the door -- and he isn't even sure if he's coming back through it.

Pam rushes to the bar to watch the CCTV monitor, and so does Russell.

They wait. And they wait. The parking lot is still empty. And bright. The sun is out in full force. And they wait.