Chapter 1

Marie and Cassandra had known each other since pre-school and had been best friends since the first day when they had spent the afternoon in the sandbox creating a sandcastle for princesses. Firm friends since then they had been each other's rock through junior high school and high school.

Cassandra was pretty with raven black hair and green eyes. She was a student at Dallas University and she was studying journalism. She had wanted to be a writer since as long as she could remember. Marie read everything she wrote and gave her criticism which was not always tactful but always well meaning. Marie and Cassandra were born one month apart with Cassandra being the oldest. Marie was not as pretty as her friend she had brown hair with grey eyes which tended to change colour depending on her mood. It was a trait that Cassandra liked about her friend it was a pretty trait a lot of people didn't notice focusing on Marie's imperfections.

When Marie and Cassandra were five there had been a St Patrick's day parade in down town Dallas. Both of the families had met up for the parade only going their separate ways at the end of the day. Marie's parents never made it home that day. On the walk home a drunk driver had hit Marie and her parents killing her parents and severely injuring Marie. It left Marie with many scars on her face and on her body. The internal injuries left her body with a tendency to cramp and she also had a weak heart weak heat as a result. Mostly she could do anything that any other child could do but sometimes she became breathless. Marie's parents had not appointed any legal guardians and both their parents were dead. As Cassandra's father was an attorney he had managed to get legal guardianship of Marie and both him and Cassandra's mother had raised her as their own.

In the summer before Cassandra started college her best friend was involved in another accident. Marie and Cassandra had been out shopping and as they were walking towards their favourite ice cream place they saw a small girl in the middle of the street. She had dropped her teddy bear and it was stuck in a drain grate. To this day neither Marie nor Cassandra knew where her parents were. Without thinking Marie had run out into the road and pushed the girl out of the way of an oncoming car. At that moment the left side of Marie's body had decided to cramp and Marie had been unable to move. The driver had mostly managed to avoid hitting her but had clipped her. She woke up a couple of hours later in the hospital. The damage had been done the doctors had told her that the strain on her body had been immense and that the body simply couldn't cope and that she only had a matter of time. Marie was not as gutted as Cassandra was she seemed to accept what the doctor had said. In truth she was relieved she woke up every day in pain her body cramped at least twice a day and if saving that little girl had sped up the inevitable then so be it. Cassandra was not as accepting she did not want to lose her best friend, the person who had been there through everything.

Marie had wanted to be a doctor since their sandpit days she had often played doctors and nurses but when the time came to apply to college Marie had made the decision not to go. The reason being was that she knew deep down she could not cope with college life. As much as she wanted to be premed she knew that she would not be able to do the course. Although Cassandra's parents had offered to fund her tuition she had declined saying that she knew she couldn't cope with college life and that she probably wouldn't be able to finish the degree anyway so why waste the money. As a compromise Cassie's parents had bought the girls an apartment in downtown Dallas close to the university campus and Marie worked in Hell. Hell was a cafe, which sold coffee and cakes etc. It also welcomed vampires stocking True Blood and opening till 4.00am. It suited Marie and it meant her and Cassandra remained close even though their lives were taking very different paths. Marie's inevitably shorter than her friends.

In the first semester of college Cassandra had met Paul at a writing night class. They had hit it off straight away and Paul had encouraged her with her writing and together they had applied to write on the college paper something which they both succeeded at doing. Everything had been going perfectly until Cassandra had discovered he was a vampire. She had baulked at the idea and had not spoken to him for about a week. It was Marie's reasoning that had persuaded Cassie to give him a chance and slowly their relationship had grown so that she had become his human. With Marie slowly becoming worse Paul had offered her his blood. To the surprise of Cassandra Marie had declined saying that she didn't want it she accepted the limitations of her body long ago and was quite ready for the inevitable. Marie had never told Cassie that she had had vampire blood before and that it had had quite a destructive effect on her body.

Cassandra was having trouble accepting Marie would not be there when she graduated or when she married or had kids. She had given up trying to get Marie to take Paul's blood instead she was trying to think of things to do that Marie would never think to do. One of things that she had tried to get Marie to do was come with her and Paul to the local vampire nest. Although Marie dealt with vampires at work she never had much interest in them. She prefer to live and let live. Many asked her at work about her scars and accidents intrigued that she had never been healed but it never went any further. In fact to Cassandra's knowledge no guy had every asked Marie out. She hadn't gone to their senior prom partially because she had not been asked by a guy and partially because when her and Cassie had gone prom dress shopping no dress had made her feel comfortable. Marie's body was heavily scared so no dress had covered both her legs, shoulders and back without looking frumpy. Instead she had given up half way through the proceedings to make Cassandra try every dress in the shop. It had not escaped Marie's noticed that the sale assistant had looked relived when she had refused to try any more on. It had not escaped Cassandra's notice either and she wished that her friend could have had a perfect prom.

Marie was not the stereotypically ugly pretty girl was friendly with everyone but always as a friend never a girlfriend. As she grew older none of the boys had ever wanted to date her. It proved to her that although beauty was only skin deep it did play a part in attraction and she was clearly unattractive. Cassandra had once asked Marie if the lack of dating bothered her she had said that it didn't realising that she was not the most attractive girl. Cassandra would have given anything for one of the boys to ask Marie out but they never did.

After a month of bullying Marie finally agreed to go with Cassie and Paul to to the local vampire nest. Cassie had insisted that it was one thing she should do before she died. Marie nearly backed out the night that they were supposed to go but Cassandra promised if she was uncomfortable she could leave. When they arrived Paul had taken Marie to be introduced to the sheriff. His name was Godric and he had barely glanced at her when Paul had introduced her. However he did a double take when she thanked him for allowing her to visit which turned into a triple take as he took in her scars. Sniffing discreetly he noticed she smelled like rotten food unusual for a human but still absolutely disgusting. Marie was used to people staring so she didn't flinch he then turned away and continued his conversation. Marie was not really that impressed if vampires wanted to be accepted into society this sheriff was going the wrong way about it and he should really be trying to build bridges not burn them. In her opinion he was an arrogant man who looked about 16. She stayed about an hour before Cassandra finally allowed her to leave. Relieved she escaped and went home leaving Cassie to amuse herself.

Marie had done something that not many people get to do before she died. Unfortunately that event was approaching faster than she would have liked. One night Cassandra returned home to find her passed out on the bathroom floor. Marie had become anaemic and had low blood pressure and she had lost consciousness. Cassie had called the paramedics who had stabilised her friend and admitted her to hospital and kept her overnight. Paul had taken Cassandra to the nest to take her mind off Marie. He did not tell her he did not think that Marie would be with them much longer. Her heart was weak and it pumped slowly and one day it would stop. He had been with Cassandra 10 minutes at the nest when Godric summoned him.
"Why does your human smell of salty tears?" he demanded
"I am sorry sheriff her friend has been taken Ill. She is just upset. I will take her home if it offends you."
"Her friend. The ugly girl you bought with you last week?"
"Yes sheriff"
"Do not bring her again Paul I do not like people like that in my nest"
"No sheriff I will not. She is dying so I doubt that she will come again"

Two nights later the nest was quiet a lot of the younger vampires and the ones that dated college students were absent as there was some football game on at the university. Godric decided to go out in search of some entertainment. Walking through downtown Dallas. He found Hell. He had heard that it was some vampire friendly cafe so he decided to find out how friendly. The hostess showed him to a free table where he could watch the game on tv that was going on at the local stadium. A girl came to take his order.
"Good evening sir. My name is Marie I will be your server tonight. Would you like to order a drink?"
Looking up he saw the disfigured girl from the nest. " Is there no one else?" he replied. He saw her face fall slightly and realised that it had been a tactless thing to say. She appeared not to recognise him.
She sighed "Normally sir someone else would be available. But tonight is game night and we are slammed. So you can order from me or go hungry."
He realised that he was not the first person to have said that to her. It saddened him slightly to realise that she was used to it.
"True Blood AB-. if you have it"
"Yes we stock all flavours. I will be right back"
He watched her go to the bar and get a True Blood and put it in the microwave. She looked annoyed. The boy behind the bar asked her if she was ok. She explained.
"Nothing is wrong really Rick. Just the vampire at the back is being a bit of an arsehole that's all. He wanted a different server. What I have got isn't catching you know"
"I know I can get Tina to deal with him if you want"
"No it's ok. I don't have a problem with him"
She took the True Blood out of the microwave and took it over to him. She put it down in front of him and he looked up at her.
"I apologise for being an arsehole"
She had forgotten they had super hearing. She was still a bit annoyed.
"You know if you guys want equal rights and stuff you should not be so judgemental. It's not like that I can help what I look like. We welcome vampires here and have done our best to make you feel welcome. You are sheriff and you should be setting the example but instead you come in here and ask for another server. Well you wave if you want anything. If you want to try something off the Hell - v menu let me know." she turned to leave.
"What's the Hell -v menu?" he asked.
" It's a menu of food for vampires. Like I said we try to make you guys feel welcome. The menu is in the holder" she turned and walked away and started taking orders from other people in her area. There were regulars that clearly knew her and were friendly to her none seem to see the scars. He turned to look at the menu and found that the menu had been created using true blood and infused with different flavours. Tomato blood soup, orange blood sorbet etc. He decided to try some of their attempts at vampire cuisine so he waved at her and she came over. He ordered the soup, another true blood and some kind of blood bolognese. She brought his courses as they were ready but did not engage him in conversation. When she came to take his plate from the blood bolognese away he decided to try and start a conversation.
"What happened to you?"
"That's none of your business. Did you like the food?" she replied
"Yes actually I was surprised. Who came up with the concept?"
"I did" she replied. " I do all the baking like the cakes, cookies and biscuits and one day this guy called Talbot came in. He was from Mississippi I think and he told me about some of the stuff he cooks at home and sent me some recipes. It was hard at first cos he uses real blood and I could only use true blood but some of the regulars tested it. We had quite a lot of disasters but this is the most popular stuff so we stock it all the time. I am glad you liked it." she smiled and walked away. He watched her for the rest of the night amazed that this girl and this cafe went to the effort of making his kind feel welcome. It made him feel ashamed that he had made no effort to engage with humans. About 3.00am he saw her lean on the bar and one of guys bring her a stool to sit on. Listening in he heard her say that the left hand side of her body was cramping. It seemed to be relatively normal no one seemed too bothered. About 3.45am she brought him his bill.
"Are you alright?" he asked "Earlier you seemed unwell"
"Yes thank you. Like I said I can't help the way I am."
She excused herself as another table called for the bill and he left the cost of the food and drink and a decent tip.

The following night he summoned Paul and asked him what exactly was wrong with Marie . Paul told him about the two car accidents and that Marie had a weak heart. It gave him something to mull over. A dying girl was so accepting of his kind she had created a whole menu of food for them to eat. She was right he was not exactly setting an example. This girl could be a good ambassador to align both sides. Maybe she would help him if he offered her something money couldn't buy.

One week later he returned to Hell and asked the hostess if she would seat him in Marie's area. She apologised and said Marie wasn't working that night. She was unwell. He sat in another area and drank a True Blood. He called his second in command Isabelle asking her to call Paul and get the Marie's address. Isabelle called him back 15 minutes later and said that Marie did not want Godric to have it. He was furious who was this girl to deny him especially as he could offer her life. He remembered she smelled of rotten food it was a bitter smell like she had had some kind of disease. Maybe he could track her. Her smell was everywhere here so it was easy to track her the way she walked home. He reached her building and realised he did not know her last name. A man walked into the building and asked him if he was ok. A quick glamour later and he discovered Marie lived in apartment 25 with her friend Cassandra. He knocked on the apartment door. Marie opened the door in her pyjamas. She looked ill and pale.
"How did you find me? I told Paul that I didn't want him to give out my address."
"I followed your smell through the streets. Should you walk home if you are as sick as you say?"
"Well I can't drive can I and I don't live on a bus route."
"I want your help with something may I come in?"
" I would rather you didn't. I am not feeling great."
"It won't take long...please"
"Ok sure. Come in."
He followed her down the hall to the lounge. She indicated that he should sit.
"I am sorry we don't have any True Blood in. What do you want my help with?"
"I have already fed thank you. I want you to help me to make humans and vampires get along better."
"Ok"
"I would of course compensate you."
"That won't be necessary. Godric. May I call you Godric?"
"You may. May be you should hear what I want to offer you. As payment I will either give you my blood to heal you or turn you. In return I would like you to expand your food line and help you distribute it within Texas. With a view to expanding nationally eventually"
"Godric I will do this without payment. Although I will probably not be alive for your national expansion. You need to understand that"
He growled in anger. "I don't give my blood lightly human. I am trying to save your life. I am offering you the chance to live."
"Well vampire."
"Godric" he corrected her.
"Well I prefer Marie to human" she retorted.
"I apologise Marie"
"Godric do you know how I am the way I am?"
He nodded.
"Paul?"
He nodded again
"Ok well he got the story from Cassie and she doesn't know everything the reason that I am rejecting your offer to be turned is that I have already had vampire blood and it didn't work. In fact it did more harm than good."
"What?"
She shifted making herself comfortable.
" Do you know Dr. Alfred Ford?"
He shook his head.
"He is a vampire about 1000 years old. He practices medicine at Dallas University Hospital. He has been mainstreaming for about 40 years."
"Oh Alf"
"Well Dr. Alf treated me when I was injured when I was five. He had already pronounced both my parents dead and I was badly hurt but not fatally so. I was five so the damage would be impeding to the rest of my growth. As my parents were dead he had no one to ask. He gave me his blood to help me heal but it didn't work it made me very very sick and all the wounds went septic and left extremely bad scaring. When his blood reached my heart it stopped it and they had to restart it three times. So as kind as your offer is thanks but no thanks"
"Then let me turn you"
"I don't want to be a vampire. besides it probably won 't work.
"Don't you want to live?"
"Not as a vampire no. Besides you think that you aren't the first one to offer. I work in a vampire bar many have offered and I have always said no"
"why?"
"Because I am done Godric. I wake up everyday in pain in some part of my body. My body cramps at least twice a day. I didn't go my prom because no one asked and I looked terrible in a prom dress. I am still a virgin Godric because no one wants to date me and sex isn't even possible with the injuries I have sustained. I want to die Godric my body can't cope with what it requires to live. I miss my parents and I want to see them again. I don't want to live forever and drink blood. This is one of the only choices I have the ability to make which is mine. I have said too much." she sighed.
"No carry on." he had a feeling she spoke very little about what she wanted.
"do you know why in am not in college?"
He shook his head.
"Because I wanted to be a paediatrician and grade wise I could be. But physically I can't be a doctor. My body cramps my heart is weak and I cant be the best doctor i would want to be."
"You are giving up" he replied.
"No Godric. My body is giving up and there is nothing anyone can do about it and there is nothing I want anyone to do about it. Godric I will help you on the condition that I get nothing in return."
"Alright. I will agree not to turn you or give you blood but that is it. May I see you tomorrow night to discuss this some more. You are tired and should rest."
"I am working tomorrow night"
"Then I will visit you at work."
"ok good night Godric"

He stood and she walked him to the door. As she closed the door she mused on the events of that night. It had been the weirdest night. It was not every day vampire sheriffs turned up at your door and offered to turn you.