Her ears were ringing and there was a stinging pain in her left arm, but she couldn't think about that right now. Her eyes were trained on the same scene as everyone else's. Godric was laying crumpled on the floor. He took the worst of it. Sookie knew that vampires could heal themselves, but to what extent? He looked so fragile. Damaged. So, she did the only thing she could think to do. She rushed to his side and offered her neck, commanding him to drink. His eyes caught hers for a moment before he obliged and clamped down. She gasped from the pain of his fangs slipping into the soft flesh and clenched her teeth and scrunched her eyes shut. Every vampire in the room watched her feed their master with expressions of shock and awe. Who was this girl who would offer herself to save a complete stranger? But no one was more shocked than Eric. He knew that Sookie was kind and selfless, but this was more than he could've ever asked of her. Only a moment had passed before Bill stormed in, fuming.
"You dare feed from my human?"
Godric reluctantly pulled himself from Sookie and nodded in thanks for her kindness and compassion. He was about to respond to Bill before she cut him off.
"I told you before, Bill Compton, I belong to no one." Sookie's words shocked everyone. Never before had they witnessed a human defy her master in such a manner. Godric raised himself to his feet to elaborate on the situation to Bill, but - once again - Sookie beat him to it.
"He needed blood. I wanted to help. End of discussion." She spat the words at her lover, who was getting more furious by the second.
"Are you a whore now, Sookie? Will you allow anyone to feed from you?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them. Every vampire in the room bared their fangs and hissed. While most of them wouldn't think twice about a human's spat with her lover, this particular human had just saved their beloved sheriff. To hear someone speak so harshly to her was unforgivable.
Sookie flinched from his words, not noticing the reaction around her. She raised her hand and smacked Bill across the face, causing yet another reaction of shock from the witnesses.
"Don't you ever speak to me that way!" Her shrill voice and venom-filled tone hurt more than her hand.
Bill's fangs shot down and he launched himself at her, only to be stopped by Eric's hand tightening around his neck.
Eric's eyes turned cold as he leaned in close to Bill's face and spat out, " You. Will. Not. Harm. Sookie." The Viking slammed him against the wall. "Leave now."
Godric sped over and grabbed Bill's collar and tossed him out the door.
The entire congregation turned their gazes back to the human crumpled on the floor, clutching her sides and shaking like a leaf. Eric walked over and gently scooped her up into his arms and whisked her away to a bedroom. Godric, Isabelle, and Stan followed behind silently. Eric was sitting on the bed with Sookie in his lap and he was whispering to her in Old Swedish. She didn't know what he was saying, but found it comforting.
Isabelle moved to her side and began rubbing circles on her back. Sookie tilted her head and looked around. Everyone took in her pitiful appearance - her bloodshot eyes and tear-stained cheeks.
"I… I… didn't know I was doing anything wrong. No one ever told me. I just… I couldn't see you like that." She raised her pleading eyes to Godric. "I never meant to cause these problems. I'm so sorry." She lowered her eyes to the floor, ashamed of her behavior.
"You did nothing wrong." Stan's deep voice broke the silence. He nodded at her reassuringly. "You saved our sheriff. You had no ties to him, yet you offered yourself to save him. For that, we are all grateful."
Sookie couldn't believe what she was hearing. Stan had never directly spoken to her. He had frightened her. Know that he held her so high warmed her heart.
Isabelle and Eric were soon to agree with him. The tears that were rimming her eyes threatened to spill over again. Godric smiled at her and, very politely, asked his underlings and his child to allow him a moment alone with his savior. The three moved to the door and, after bowing slightly to Godric, exited. As the door shut once again, Godric turned to Sookie and spoke softly.
"Thank you again for… earlier. Now, I can only assume that you are unaware of your… situation, as most of your kind shy away from vampires for fear of being drained. Because I am very old, I was able to pull away, but you must know how very rare your blood is. You truly are a delicacy."
Sookie cringed at his words. She had always despised being compared to food, but she knew that he meant no harm. Wait. My kind? Before she could ask, Godric resumed his little speech.
"Normally, I would not interfere, but as you have saved me, I feel I owe you this, at least: the reason why you taste so differently, the reason why so many crave you, is because you are part fae." Godric paused, knowing that she'd need time to absorb this.
Of course, Sookie had already heard of fairies when Sam explained the supernatural world to her after revealing himself as a shifter. Really? Me? A fairy? It could explain the telepathy… She glanced up and realized he was waiting for a response.
"Thank you… for… telling me." It sounded more like a question. She averted her eyes. She really didn't know what else to say. She wanted to ask how he knew, but kept her mouth shut, knowing that there was a good chance she'd regret asking.
Godric had turned to leave when a small voice stopped him.
"Can you - could you… maybe… send Eric in? I think I'd like to go home now." She wrapped her arms around her torso, trying to stop the shakes that were resurfacing.
Godric nodded and left the room to summon his child and say his goodbyes. He wished he could spend more time with his child, but he understood that Sookie had already been through so much and she definitely needed sleep.
As Eric and Sookie were making their way out the door, Godric caught his arm and pulled his child aside.
"Protect her. At any cost." Eric could see in his maker's eyes how important she was to him. He nodded and turned to leave, not before shooing one last lingering glance at his maker. He had no idea how long it would be before they had another chance to meet up.
Eric took Sookie's hand in his and led her to his car. They rode in silence the whole way back to the hotel.
She struggled to keep the tears back. Eric's done enough already. He shouldn't have to deal with my emotional breakdown. Reel it in, girl.
Eric fought the urge to ask if she was okay. Of course she's not okay. She was nearly bombed to pieces, fed on, then humiliated by her asshole of a boyfriend. What kind of person would be okay after that? Why isn't she crying? She probably has no more left in her. She's so fragile. Must be protected. I'll get her to sleep and she'll be better when she wakes. She has to be better. Eric let his thoughts consume him. His eyes were fiercely trained on the road ahead of them. He couldn't look at her. He couldn't see her like that.
They pulled into the lot and Sookie let out a small sigh of relief-exhaustion. Eric sped over to her door and offered his hand to help her out. She took it, but didn't let go when she was standing. Instead, she clutched it tightly as he lead her into the hotel, the elevator, and down the corridor. When they reached her door, it hit her like a ton of bricks. Bill. She shared a room with Bill. And she certainly wasn't ready to face him again.
Eric felt her stiffen at his side and sensed her apprehension at entering the suite. "He's not in there."
She visibly relaxed at his words. Still holding Eric's hand, she lead him inside, then, finally relinquished her death grip. "Would you stay? You know, in case he comes back?" Sookie kept her eyes on the floor.
Is she serious? She wants me to stay? In her room? With her? Does she really trust me that much? Eric shook the thoughts from his head and simply nodded.
Sookie went to her bed and shed her clothes before climbing up onto the soft mattress and pulling the covers up to her chest. She turned to her side and sighed. She knew that she couldn't sleep alone. She'd gotten so used to sleeping curled up in Bill's arms, just the thought of no one holding her made her shudder.
Maybe Eric… no. She dismissed the idea. She was still a lady. And she was quite sure that ladies didn't sleep with two men in a week. Not wanted to be judged for poor character, she shut her eyes and tried to force herself to sleep.
Eric moved silently to the door and his eyes drifted to the small curled up figure on the bed. So tiny… fragile. Eric's head snapped up at the sound of a mousy request coming from the figure.
"Can you lay with me? Just until I fall asleep?" Oh, God! What the fuck is wrong with me? Take it back. Take it the fuck back! Sookie was so busy mentally chastising herself that she almost didn't hear his response.
"Sure." Eric moved to stand beside the bed. He slipped off his jacket and shoes. He knew he shouldn't take off more than that. Sookie froze up as he slipped in beside her.
I can't believe I'm doing this. Don't stare. God, she's beautiful. Is her skin as soft as it looks? Maybe if I just touch… NO! No, she's vulnerable. She doesn't need anyone feeling her up right now. Especially not someone who's meant to protect her. Just keep your hands to yourself, Eric. He closed his eyes and wished for silence in his head.
Oh, God. Look at him. He's perfect. Those arms… God, Sookie. What is wrong with you? Now is not the time to be fantasizing over that Viking GOD lying next to you. You hate him, remember? Get it together, girl. Sookie closed her eyes once again and willed herself to sleep.
He knew the moment she was asleep. Her breathing had evened out and the pained look on her face had been replaced by one of contentment. He knew he should get up. She had only asked him to stay until she fell asleep. And she was definitely asleep. So he should get up. But she rolled over and placed her arm across his chest. That was it. That was the ext moment he realized that he had gone soft. The old Eric wouldn't have given a damn that she'd had a rough night. He would've used her vulnerability and take advantage of her. He wanted her and he always got what he wanted. So why was she so different? He truly wanted to protect her. He couldn't bear to see her suffer anymore. The moment he felt her skin touch his, he was determined.
Eric laid there, cradling Sookie in his arms for a few hours before he heard Bill in the corridor outside. He hated the thought of leaving her, but she'd had enough drama for one night. And he would not allow that fool to wake her. He gently set aside her arm and rose from the bed. He closed the door behind him and went off to greet Bill.
