Choices (after the date with the Sheriff)

Life had gone on as usual for the last few days after her date with the Sheriff. She still thought of him often during the day and remembered what an incredible lover he had been. Even now as she thought of him her body burned for his touch. She knew it would definitely be a long night and probably a cold shower would be in her near future.

With a groan she got out of bed determined to find something, anything to take her mind off the memory of his touch. Walking downstairs and into her recording studio, she began going through the tracks the band had left to go along with the lyrics she had written. All of her latest lyrics reminded her of him as well. This wasn't really a surprise as her every thought had been centered around him for the last two months.

Walking out of the studio ready to scream in frustration, she found her way to the phone and picked up the receiver. Slamming it back down after the irritating noise reminded her she hadn't yet dialed his number. She wondered if he would even talk to her. She was the one that begged him to set her free.

Making her way over to the bar she mixed a drink and drank it down without even tasting it. She couldn't stand this, she had to know, this was utter insanity wanting him. Her heart pounding in her chest she called Fangtasia and Ginger picked up the phone.

She paused long enough to take a deep breath, “Ginger, its Cara, is the Sheriff around?” The pause she got in return told her he was there and Ginger was asking if he wanted to talk to her. That was the longest wait of her life, when in reality it had only been a few seconds. “Hello Cara,” his seductive voice sent chills down her spine and she took another deep breath.

“Sheriff,” she whispered and again she questioned her sanity in calling him. This silence while she sat waiting, hoping he would say something was excruciating. “I needed to hear your voice,” she whispered again her voice trembling when she couldn't wait any longer for him to answer. “And now you have”, he said loudly, trying to talk over the band playing in the club. Another moment of silence and he spoke again. “Are you well?” She shook her head no but lied to him, “I'm ok, but I'd like to see you,” she spoke the words that she had longed to say before she lost the nerve.

Her words caught him off guard and he paused; remembering why he had granted her request for release in the first place. Something about the girl had touched him in a way that angered him now, compassion for a human was foreign to him, a weakness in his eyes; yet he had given in to it for her. His anger flared into a rage for the regret he had in ultimately allowing that momentary weakness with her to control his actions. He took what he wanted, he was not a weak human that suffered from unnecessary emotions. She had called him, which made it very obvious that she was still willing. He could take back what he still considered as his.

“Sheriff,” her voice still trembling as she questioned his silence. Good, he thought as he recognized the nervousness in her voice, let her suffer for making me feel anything. Finally he answered, “I am here,” he wanted to make her beg, demand to rescind their agreement, to be the one who couldn't stay away. “I'm sorry I bothered you Sheriff,” her words echoed with defeat as she hung up the phone.

He stood there staring at the phone, his icy blue eyes filled with rage. His fangs had run out and Ginger, being the lack wit she was smiled at him. He growled at her and spun, walking away to seek out Chow. “I need to feed,” Eric told Chow as he found him. A quick scan around the club and his eyes found a younger woman at the bar alone. “Bring her back to my office,” he motioned to the woman with his head and stormed away to his office with a snarl. Chow stood with his jaw hanging open, glad that he wasn't the recipient of the Sheriff’s foul mood.

Leaning against the desk in his office he contemplated his next move. He had heard the anguish in her voice and knew without doubt that she would welcome him back with open arms. He pondered, was it worth the chance that she might cause him to feel some human emotion again? His thoughts swung the other direction, he could drain her and end the torment she caused him. Considering this for a moment he remembered the taste of her blood and inadvertently the feel of her eager young body beneath his. He wondered, would she still taste as sweet now that he had claimed her innocence?

Allowing himself to think about her blood while in a state of rage had not been a wise decision. His hunger was demanding to be appeased now. Chow knocked on the door at that moment and he growled at him to enter. He was not in an agreeable mood, to say the least, and the young woman that Chow led into his office would ultimately pay the price for that. Chow exited as quickly as he could, all but running from the room clouded with Eric's rage He knew exactly how dangerous the Sheriff was in that frame of mind and didn't want to be the one in the line of fire.

The woman before him wasn't much older than Cara, he thought. He knew immediately that she was also not as temptingly innocent either by the way her dark brown eyes roamed over him hungrily. She tossed her dark hair back with a practiced ease, almost begging him with her body language to drink from her which enraged him even further if that were possible. Why had he picked this girl? Her dark brown hair and chocolate gaze mocked him now, reminding him of Cara, someone he would very much like to drain at the moment. He pulled the girl roughly to him, determined to make her answer for daring to remind him of Cara. Covering the girl’s mouth to muffle her scream he plunged his fangs into her neck without care.

Had he not been so enraged, he could have easily made it enjoyable for the woman, a specialty of his, but he wanted her to feel pain. He drank deeply from her and when her struggles became weak he tossed her carelessly onto the couch. His hunger appeased somewhat, but still filled with a rage that demanded to be quelled, he found himself struggling with his normal control. The woman lay sprawled out on the couch, and probably near death, yet another mistake he’d made on Cara’s account. He let out a curse and flung the office door open bellowing for Pam. She took her time making her way to the office and then rolled her eyes at what she saw, the girl passed out on the couch and him seething with rage. Pam was one of the few beings he allowed attitude from and even she knew when to not push things too far.

“Take care of that ,” he motioned to the girl on the couch with distaste. Pam's eyes widened somewhat at his lack of finesse, knowing better to question him at this particular moment. She lifted the human up and locked eyes with her, removing all memories of the nights event. For once, the disgust on her face at having to deal with his problem was hidden.

With a roll of her eyes, Pam took the girl out the back door of the club and sat her in Eric's car. She stayed there until the girl had gained enough strength to tell her where she lived; then drove her home.
Letting out an ancient curse, he walked out of the back entrance, taking off into the night, determined to find a fight that would cure his sudden rage and take his mind off the human that had managed to once again threaten his control.

Cara sat down on the couch and put her head in her hands feeling like she had just lost her best friend. What had she been thinking by calling him, she questioned herself. “Babe, everything alright,” Ana walked in seeing her and immediately began to worry. Looking up at Ana she shook her head, “No, I did it again,” she whispered feeling like an idiot.

Ana groaned and sat down beside her pulling her into her arms, “Might as well spill it babe, you're not going to feel better until you do.” She explained to Ana about calling him and told her his few remarks, shaking her head knowing she was a fool. Ana sighed deeply, “Babe, look, you've got to make your mind up about what you want,” lifting her chin and looking into Cara's eyes. “I'm not going to tell you how to live your life,” Ana smiled at her friend, “but this going back and forth is so not good for you.”

“I don't think he's going to give me the chance to come back Ana,” she sighed and shook her head again. “Well babe, then that's something you're going to have to live with, “Ana smiled again. “Hell babe, go out, have fun, meet other guys, be young,” Ana winked at her, “if he calls back, he does, if he doesn't, well you have your answer.” Taking a deep breath and nodding at Ana she forced a smile, “You always know what to say and I love you for it,” she hugged Ana tightly.


Authors: Cara Faith Donovan and Eric Northman Edited By: Ana Layne