Rating: M

Disclaimer: I do not own True Blood. If I did I would have kept Franklin and Tara's relationship for season 4 :3

A/N: This chapter takes place after Beautifully Broken. This fanfic is completely from Franklin's point of view. Enjoy and please leave a review.

The Void

The woman and I were standing in a parking lot outside a bar, the night air was hot and thick around us. The woman was crying uncontrollably, her face in her hands and shoulders shaking. I stood in place staring at her for a long time before I realized my fangs were exposed and I was softly growling. I stopped growling, but didn't retract my fangs, as I slowly walked up to the woman. The woman was short and slim with chocolate colored skin and wore her hair in long braids. It amazed me that such a small girl was able to beat two men, who were twice her size, unconscious with her bare hands.

When I was an inch away from her I froze in place. Seeing her like that, all overwhelmed with raw emotion, knuckles bruised and bloodied, illuminated by the light of the full moon I finally saw how beautiful she was. I hadn't had a chance to notice when we spoke in the bar, all my focus was on her eyes and how sad and empty they were, the way my eyes were before I was turned vampire. I felt so much sympathy for the woman, which is why I rushed to her aid when she confronted the two men. Yes, she probably could have handled both of them herself but I don't think I could have slept easy without knowing for certain.

Without thinking I wrapped my arms around her and started kissing her with fiery and urgency. The woman recoiled for a second then started kissing me back just as hard. I pulled her so close to me not even a speck could fit between us. I twisted her braids around my fingers while she ran her tong up and down my long fangs. It seemed we stayed embraced for hours until she pulled away, panting steadily looking dazed.

"I, uh, should leave now." She mumbled embarrassingly. The woman started walking away and I felt a pain where my still heart was. I didn't want her to walk away from me yet, I wanted more time to understand the feelings she was causing in me, feelings no one had ever made me feel not even...her. In an instant I was by the woman's side gripping her wrist as gently as I could. She seemed afraid at that moment (it was probably my abnormally sized fangs and the hungry look that had to be in my eyes that caused her fear) and looked like she wanted to run far away from me, the bar, anything and everyone that could cause her further pain. I hugged her tightly, keeping my eyes on her and whispered,

"It's alright I won't hurt you." I could tell that she believed me because she no longer looked afraid and relaxed in my arms, looking away shyly.

"Think you for helping me with those two assholes." The woman said softly. I wondered what they did to make her so angry, but I decided that wasn't important at the moment so I didn't ask.

"Your welcome, though you probably didn't really need my help." She looked back at me with a small smile that would have made my heart leap.

"Maybe, but it was still...nice of you to help a complete stranger." Her voice didn't sound as empty as it did before and that gave me more confidence.

"Do you want me to take you home?" I asked.

"No," she answered quickly, "Take me to your place instead."

"I don't really have a 'place,' I'm staying at a motel right know." I said embarrassed.

"I've been in my share of motels." The woman laughed. I didn't argue instead I picked her up and carried her in lighting speed away from the parking lot, the bar, and the two red-necks who were still knocked out. I guessed someone would find them eventually, though I didn't really care. All I cared about at that moment was getting this woman, who was giving me an utter feeling of ecstasy, somewhere quiet and with little people around.

To be continued...