A/N

This chapter was in a suspended state for a while. Real life gave me a needed break from writing it, as it was difficult to figure out this chapter. I planned something else entirely, but I just had to let things follow their natural course. And allow Eric to take his time with this, as he did.

15. Little Fairy

EPOV

Police just left, taking that fucker William Compton with them for further interrogation. I overheard them advising him to be more careful on the stairs. Such a shame he was so clumsy as to break his nose and few ribs as soon as he was thrown outside Sookie's house.

Naturally, both Tray and I had had a few well-placed "words" with him. By the time the policemen arrived, he fell on them as his own knights in shining uniforms. But this won't be the last time he hears from me. I have a wide array of favors to collect. And I intend to use as many as I can to make sure that by the time he is free again, he won't even be able to think of abusing another woman. On second thought, I think he may decide to leave the country as soon as he will be allowed to do so. He would be fool not to. His safety cannot be guaranteed ever again.

I step back inside her house, trying to make just enough noise to be heard, and not to startle her.
Sookie.
When I initially entered the house, I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of her. Stark naked, with a wild halo of disheveled blond hair, a candelabra in hand, she was right at the point of hitting him. A striking Amazon warrior. No, make that a Valkyrie. Just like the mythical creatures from mamma's Sagas. Yet, now, she looks so small and fragile, sunk into an old armchair. Wearing my shirt. I wave away the thoughts that threaten to derail me. This is definitely not the time.

I kneel before her, again, and start speaking in the softest, most nonthreatening tone I can muster.

"Police have left." No reaction from Sookie.

"I informed them we are from your home security company. You set off the panic alarm, and we came to investigate the location."

She doesn't lift her head, nodding, keeping her face hidden.

My arms go around her, almost on their own, sheltering her small form. She still trembles. Such a tiny human. I long to have her shrink even smaller for me, as small as a fairy, and place her in my pocket, or beneath my clothing, next to my heart. Perhaps then, the tremor in my chest will recede, too.

I want to say I'll keep her safe. But I know that's not entirely possible. Shit happens. "There is a team on its way to install an alarm as we speak."

She clears her throat, and then speaks in a whispered voice. "I... I don't think I can... afford it, right now."

"Since I already stated it as fact, I'm doing this mostly to cover my ass, you know. And I still hope you will seriously consider my earlier job offer." Then, on a more sober note, "You will have to go to the police station tomorrow or the day after tomorrow for a detailed statement. Also you will have to go in tomorrow to forensics for a recorded medical report."

Sookie lifts her head and stares at me. She looks lost, like a small child in an overcrowded supermarket, not finding anything familiar. My heart aches as I recognize the look in her eyes. It's all too from too many times staring into my own mirror.

"Do you have a friend that might come to spend tonight with you?"

She looks past me. Then shakes her head.

"May I stay with you? Or maybe you could come with me to my house, just for tonight."

"Yes, please stay, thank you." She squeezes her eyelids tightly shut. "I'm so tired."

"Do you want to have a shower first?"

She clutches her legs harder. "No, no shower."

"A bath then?" She nods her assent.

I get up, and realize I have no idea where things are around here.

"Upstairs."

I gather her in my arms and take her up with me. We enter a small bedroom, with worn out furniture. Just like in the living room, hundreds of books lay piled on many shelves. I move purposely into the adjoining small bathroom. I set her down on the seat of the toilet and proceed to prepare a relaxing soak for her. The tiles and fixtures are old and cracked and stained, and yet very clean. I throw in the tub some bubble bath then decide to throw in scented salts too, and wait quietly for the water level to rise. She seems a bit more relaxed, and I don't dare break into her thoughts. I know she needs time to come to terms with what's happened. She needs to find herself. And I am glad to simply be here for her.

Turning off the faucets, I reach for the door, to go out, to allow her some privacy and dignity. But she grabs my hand, in a surprisingly strong grip. With a silent cry, Sookie implores me, don't go.

"Not going anywhere. Come on, get in before the water turns cold."

I remain standing with my back to her, listening to her movements, until I heard the water ripples settle. Then I take a seat on the toilet, still with my eyes closed. The quiet stretches long and thin in the small chamber.

A familiar tune begins to play in my memory, and I start humming it, mostly for myself. Soon the words begin to come back, insistent that I listen:

One elephant began to play

Upon a spider's web one day,

He found it such tremendous fun

That he called on another elephant to come.

Two elephants began to play...

Pam's song. Probably the only one she had in her motherly repertoire, other than the drunken party tunes. It always had a hypnotic, almost magical effect on me. Calming, relaxing, making me forget. Only you can never fully forget.

~o~

I retrieve her from the already cold water, wrapped in a towel, big enough to cover most of her. I carry her to her bed, trying not to notice the swell of her chest or the softness of her body in my arms. Instead, I focus on her blue lips and chattering teeth. I place her on the bed, and turn as she takes out a white nightgown from under the pillow. Finding a blanket, I cover her after she dresses herself. It's yellow one, with blue flowers. Bellflowers.

Tinkerbell. My little fairy.

Would her fairy dust make me fly? That would be nice.

I lay down on top of the blanket, trying to find a good position for my now Velcro-fastened cast, not sure how and where to place my hands. I want to hold her, but I'm not sure I should. Until she turns to me, and silently places her forehead against my chest. Letting out a breath I had no idea I was holding, I wrap her small figure in my much larger one.

And, with a last fleeting thought, I fall asleep. All will be well. How? Only time will tell.

.

A/N

Next chapter will also be from Eric's point of view. It just felt right to end this one here.

Thank you all for being here for Sookie and Eric. Please let me know your thoughts.

Disclaimer: Not mine. But I still trust that all will be well with these amazing characters, and not just in this story.