Chapter 1: Denial

A 25 year old, long brunette, haired woman named Summer Stackhouse, isn’t any ordinary human. The vampires consider her special. That is because she has a telepathic ability. She is not the only human in Bon Temps, Louisiana, with this ability. Her twin sister, Sookie, also has the same ability. That was until a few weeks ago, when Summer displayed a new ability while she was trying to save her sister from Maryanne’s sacrificial, wedding celebration. Her new ability is somewhat like that of telekinesis, the ability to move objects with ones mind. It is speculated that since she has fed from Eric more than once, that his blood, being as old as it is, helped enhance a part of her brain connected to her telepathic ability. Since discovering this new ability, Summer has felt more alone and abnormal, set apart from her own twin sister. Sookie assures her that she’s even more special than before and that she should be happy that she’s different from everyone else. Summer doesn’t like the idea of being special because that means her family could be in more danger than ever before. Also because Eric is more fascinated and drawn to her, which means he could need her services again, whenever he pleases.

Eric and Summer’s relationship is a little complicated. She wants nothing to do with him, yet she helps him whenever he needs it. It’s probably because she thinks she owes him for saving her life back when Rene Lenier tried to kill her. She acts like she can’t stand him and is not afraid to stand her ground around him. Eric loves the fact that she pretends to not be attracted to him. But he knows that she is, because they now have a blood connection, or so he calls it. This connection happened back in Dallas, Texas, when Summer and Sookie were at the vampire party at Godric’s place, after they had rescued him from the Fellowship of the Sun. A crazed, supporter of the Fellowship, named Luke, showed up with a message for everyone in the house and revealed that he had a bomb strapped to his chest, fixed with wooden bullets. As he pressed the button, Eric threw himself on top of Summer, shielding her from any harm. After the aftermath, Summer was fine, but Eric was not. He had two wooden bullets in his chest and shoulder. Summer wanted to help him, since he saved her life again, but he had another idea. He wanted her to suck the bullets out….with her mouth. She wasn’t too thrilled by the idea, but she knew he was in pain. So she put aside her pride and decided to help him. Eric liked the feeling of Summer’s lips on his chest and shoulder. He was getting off on it. In the process, Summer ingested some of his blood trying to get the bullets out. After helping him get the bullets out, Summer started to hallucinate. Eric put an image in her head of him and her making out passionately, ripping off one another’s clothes, and sleeping together. Summer finally gained the reigns back on her mind and tried to smack him, but he gripped a hold of her wrist and gave her a satisfied grin. They ended up going back to the Vampire hotel and Summer noticed that Eric was looking paler, like he hadn’t fed in awhile. He was about to order up a human to fed on, but Summer suggested he drink from her instead. Eric knew then that he had her in his grasp and she didn’t even realize what she was getting herself into. She sat down on the bed next to him and moved her long, hair over to the other side of her neck. He grabbed a hold of her lower jaw and slowly bit down on her neck. At first, she was in pain, but then it felt good. She tried not to show it in her face that she was enjoying it, but I’m sure Eric knew already. The taste of her blood was sweet on his tongue but had a unique flavor that he hadn’t tasted before. He was hooked. Her blood was exactly what he needed. And he loved how he would know where she was at every moment of the day. After he had fed from her, he pushed her down onto the bed and started kissing her. His hand sliding down to her waist and then slipping under her shirt. She tried to push him off of her, but he was way stronger than her, plus…..she kind of liked it. Eric’s lips moved from her mouth, to her neck. Although, Summer was enjoying every minute of it, she didn’t want him to know that, so she kneed him in the crotch and he let her go. It did not hurt him, but he loved that she was playing hard to get. Since that day, he has never forgotten and she knew that.

Recently, Summer was offered a bartending job at Fangtasia while Chow was out of town for the next couple of days. Summer agreed to it, even though she works at Merlotte’s. But she worked out her schedule with Sam and she works in the afternoon and then goes to Fangtasia afterwards. Summer only agreed to the job because Sookie was going to be out of town for a few days and Summer didn’t want to be at the house, alone. She doesn’t like the feeling of being in that house; because of her grandmother’s murder that took place there, almost two months ago. Even though Tara was also living there, she is hardly ever there, since she works night shifts at the bar. So for the next few days Summer would have to put up with Eric and the other vampires at the bar, but at least she wouldn’t be alone.

On a late Friday afternoon, around dusk, at Merlotte’s bar and grill, Summer had just clocked out from her afternoon shift. She started untying her small apron from around her waist when her boss, Sam, approached her.

Summer: Hey.

Sam: Can I speak with you, in my office?

Summer: Sure.

She then followed him into his office and closed the door behind her. She stood there waiting for him to speak, but then again, she has a telepathy ability, so she can just read his thoughts whenever she wants. Since he’s a shape shifter, his thoughts are different from that of humans.

Sam: Are you trying to read my thoughts right now?

Summer: Trying is the word. Am I in trouble?

Sam: No (starting to chuckle) you did nothing wrong.

Summer: Well can you hurry it up then and spit it out, cause I have to be at Fangtasia in an hour.

Sam: That’s what I wanted to speak with you about.

Summer: I’m a big girl, Sam. I can handle myself just fine. Thanks for being concerned though.

Sam: Do you have any idea of what you’re doing?

Summer: What do you mean? Of course, I know what I’m doing.

Sam: There are vampires at that bar. All they’re thinking about is drinking your blood.

Summer: (starting to laugh) Sam, not all vampires think about ripping people’s throats out. You should hang out with them sometime.

Sam: I’m just worried about you, that’s all. You’re my friend.

Summer: (smiling) I know. And you’re a good friend, Sam. But I’ll be fine.

She then heard a glimpse of Sam’s thoughts and it mentioned Eric’s name.

Summer: Why were you just thinking about Eric? Is that what this conversation is really about?

Sam: (Hesitant) I think you’re leading him on…. (interrupted)

Summer: What?! That’s crazy. Because I’m helping him at his bar?

Sam: This is what……the fourth time you’ve just helped him out.

Summer: Sam, I don’t want to get into this right now. I have to go.

Summer quickly turned around and grabbed the door knob, when Sam grabbed her upper arm.

Sam: Summer, I don’t think you realize the depth you are getting into with that guy.

Summer: Sam, let go of my arm, right now.

Sam then let go of her arm and she opened the office door and quickly walked out. Sam stepped out of his office and watched her as she gave Tara a hug good-bye and then walk out of the bar.

Later that night, Summer was at the bar mixing and serving drinks to both vampires and humans. It was a pretty busy night and the place was just packed in. People were dancing around to the loud music, making out, or surrounding the bar, watching the human mix drinks. She was pretty good, too. She would toss the bottle of liquor behind her back or spin it around in her hand before pouring it into a glass. Eric stepped out of his office from time to time to stare at Summer and was pleased with her bartending skills. Summer would notice him in the background from time to time and would give him a wave. He would give her a smirk and head back into his office. All the vampires in the bar knew not to even try and touch Summer or else they would have to answer to Eric. They could smell it on her, that she was his, even though she refutes that. Summer was having a really good night until around the last hour, when she noticed an average height man with shoulder length brown hair was messing with a young female, probably not even in her twenties yet. Summer put down the whiskey bottle and practically jumped over the bar to get to the situation that was across the room. Everyone in the bar watched as Summer approached the male vampire and grab his arm.

Summer: Get your hands off of her (in an angry voice)

Male Vampire: (looking at her up and down and smiling) Well hello there.

Summer: Do we have a problem?

Male Vampire: Not anymore (licking his lips)

He moved away from the young female and then started to slowly get closer to Summer. She wasn’t afraid of him and just waited for his next move.

Summer: I think you need to leave.

Male Vampire: Or what? You’re just a human. You can’t hurt me.

Summer: Oh, really? What makes you think I don’t have silver on me right now?

Male Vampire: You wouldn’t dare. Not in a room full of vampires. But go ahead and try.

He then slipped his hand around her waist and pulled her towards him. She then head-butted him and kneed him in the stomach. She grabbed a hold of his arm and flipped him over her shoulder. As his back hit the floor, she placed her foot on top of his chest, pinning him down. He just looked up at her, fangs showing, and laughed. Before she could realize what happened next, he grabbed her by the ankle and pulled her down to the floor with him. Once on her back, the male vampire got on top of her, sitting on her stomach.

Male Vampire: Now this is better. Much better.

Summer tried to fight back but he was too strong. As the vampire tried to lunge for her neck, he was pulled off of her by a strong force. She looked up and Eric had a hold of the vampire, his feet dangling up in the air.

Summer: Eric, don’t (looking up at him)

Eric looked at her, his fangs out. She could tell he was angry and wanted to rip that vampire in half. Nothing could keep him from doing it. She knew that. Once she got back on her feet, Eric put the vampire down and the guy ran through the crowd of people, away from Summer and Eric and out of the bar. Eric noticed everyone in the bar staring and gave them an intense glance. The vampires knew what that stare meant, so they went back to doing what they were doing.

Eric: Are you okay?

Summer: I’m fine.

Eric: You just never learn, do you?

Summer: He started it. I could have taken him.

Eric: Yeah, sure you could (with a sarcastic grin on his face)

Summer then went back behind the bar and continued serving and mixing drinks for the customers. Once the hour ended, everyone left out of the bar. Summer cleaned off the counter top and put away all the liquor bottles that she had taken off the shelves. Pam approached her with a big smile on her face.

Pam: You did well tonight. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Even the entertainment was exciting. You should bartend more often.

Summer: I’ll take that as a compliment.

Pam gave her a smirk and then went into the back room. Summer grabbed the black, security box, which was full of cash and walked towards Eric’s office. She stepped inside and he was sitting at his desk. She approached his desk and set the box in front of him. He opened up the box and started counting the money.

Summer: Well I guess I’ll be going home. Goodnight.

She turned around and before she could take a step, Eric was in front of her.

Eric: You forgot something.

Summer: What is that?

He pulled some money out of his pocket and waved it in her face.

Eric: This.

Summer tried to grab it out of his hand, but he grabbed a hold of her wrist.

Eric: No, let me (flirtatiously smiling)

He then slowly slid the money down her low-cut shirt and into her bra. She tried to smack him, but he grabbed her by the waist, spun her around, and pinned her against the office door. He pressed up against her and started smelling her neck. His lips softly pressed down on her neck and she tried to push him away, but he was too strong. His lips made his way up to her jaw line and then to her lips. Summer gave in and they continued to kiss, passionately.

To Be Continued…..