Steve Newlin had no response for Eric's accusation that he was there for the onset of his personal pain, and when Bill Compton petitioned for Eric to let Steve drink from him, Eric vehemently denied the request adding turncoat to the list of insults levied against Steve. It wasn't that Steve could deny Eric his anger, and he could even perhaps argue that he had also been witness to Eric taking the one person who had cared for him in killing his own lover, Russell, but fire against fire wasn't going to win him any brownie points here. Steve knew he was at the end of his rope giving rise to one last supplication to Eric for a chance to be stronger in the future only to be affirmed by Eric that he had no future. Steve was thrust forward into the burning sunlight, and above Sarah looked on.

As a last 'fuck you,' to her almost pityingly curious face, Steve yelled out, "I love you… JASON STACKHOUSE!" Burning was almost worth the offended expression that took hold of her features as his words seemed to visibly hit Sarah as she stumbled backwards away from the scene.

It was then that Bill weakly spoke as the vampires attached to him continued to drain him of his life's essence, "Eric… what would Godric do…?"

A simple sentence was enough, and as much as Eric wanted to see the worm wreathing before him continue to burn into nonexistence, he was hit by a sudden pang of conscience on behalf of Godric's dying wishes. This was vengeance, and his maker had warned him against this path, Eric had raged so much after Nora's death, and reveling in the pain and anger had given him a form of hollow justice. Eric had a new calm wash over him as he finally nodded his acquiescence to Bill's appeal.

"I guess it's your lucky day Newlin," Eric stated almost nonchalantly while tossing Steve violently against the wall moments before Steve would have exploded like a bursting water balloon of blood.

Still screaming in pain, Steve crumpled clinging against the vestige of safety the darkness gave as he desperately worked his way towards the exit. Everything hurt, and for the level of his burns, Steve was almost grateful for the time being most of his nerve endings were charred. This of course did not stop the excruciating body aches he currently felt and his almost imperceptible frenzied need to feed to regenerate his battered body. He was weak beyond comprehension, and for the first time in Steve's un-life, he felt more vulnerable as a vampire than he had as a human.

Steve managed to find a lab assistant that had a faint heartbeat among the drained bodies scattered about the compound. It was enough for Steve, and he quickly latched on to the wrist of the depleted woman and drained the last of her vitality. This wasn't enough to heal him, but it was enough to start the regeneration process. The other vampires that had not drunk from Bill's godlike veins still remained within the facility causing havoc while awaiting the sun to go down.

Newlin was careful to avoid them knowing from his previous incarceration in gen pop that he was not well liked and being a baby vampire could be easily killed. This fact caused a small whimper of dismay to leave Steve's lips. From the beginning he hadn't had a mentor as his maker had merely turned him as what? …a punishment? …a figure head for the authority? She was gone before he had the chance to really learn who she was.

The authority had wanted him for what he had been to turn the tides of human resentment in their favor, and with them came a sense of belonging. Steve needed to belong, and as much as he'd surrounded himself with causes, it wasn't until shedding his previous conformities and admitting to himself and on national television that he was a "gay vampire American," did he start to actually feel free. 'Russell… gods Russell, why did you have to go and die on me?' Steve thought bitterly as blood tears began to form in the corner of his eyes and spill down his cheeks. Steve shook his head wiping fiercely at his face, 'no, I said I would be stronger now,' Steve sniffled at the thought and began to cry again as he drew his legs in to clutch them tightly to his chest; he was utterly alone and really had no one to be strong for.

Night fall came, and when Steve felt sure that he was safe, he lurked out of his place of hiding running for all he was worth towards town. An old drunken homeless man served as a quick disgusting snack to heal his remaining injuries, and Steve could swear that he felt slightly drunk himself from the man's overwhelming blood to alcohol level. Shaking off the effects of alcohol and the horrible after taste left by the drunkard, Steve pondered where to go now.

Even though the vamp camp had been officially decommissioned, the hate had spread and vampires simply just weren't that safe anymore. Steve having been a public advocator of vampires was now a walking target for that hate, and anyone who reviled fangs could recognize him and likely try to kill him on sight. These were disturbing thoughts that Steve tried to push down as he hurriedly walked away from the busier parts of town being sure to keep his head low.

There was always Jason Stackhouse Steve mused as his fangs popped out and he blushed at his inability to control his arousal in that manner. Jason didn't want to be with him, but he was kind of simple and perhaps if Steve was lucky, he could glamor the man into liking him well enough. After all, Jessica seemed to be into that James fellow now, so Jason might not be her top priority anymore. These thoughts kept Steve blissfully hopeful all the way until knocking on his door revealed Jason's new keeper, Violet.

Violet gave Steve's stunned expression the once over before barking rudely, "What the fuck do you want?"

Steve feeling more than a little intimidated by her presence stammered, "Uh… is Jason in?"

At about the time Steve finished his inquiry Jason was rounding the corner of the door to see who had come to see him. Recognizing Steve immediately and reaching for the gun holstered in the back of his loose fitting jeans, Jason balked, "Steve Newlin? What the heck are you doing here?"

Not wanting to die Steve quickly threw his hands in the air and shouted, "I mean you no harm! I just, geez, do you always answer your door like this? I just… I don't know; I didn't know where else to go…"

Jason grimaced at the despondent pout laid upon Steve's face, but Violet was stone cold to Newlin's despair stating as she slammed the door in his face, "Find some other doorstep to perch on because you're not welcome here."

Sighing dejectedly Steve turned away from the closed door getting a bit nervous as he looked out at the night sky. He had skulked around so long waiting for his fellow contained vampires to depart the compound that time had wilted down to only a few more hours of night, and a twinge of panic began to settle within him. It would be rather pitiful to meet his end at the hand of the rising sun after going through so much already. Bill Compton! He had saved him after all! Would he save him now though?

Steve's heart no longer beat, but that sickening head dizzying feeling that came over him whenever he was unsure and worse dreading the outcome of a confrontation still left him with that anxiety a racing heart represented. He now stood for several minutes on Bill Compton's porch staring at the doorbell and nervously reciting in his head what to say to the vampire god. He didn't have the chance to ring the bell though as Bill had seemingly sensed him outside his door and had opened it to Give Steve a curious look.

"Newlin? What brings you to my door?" Bill always the gentleman inquired in his famously Southern drawl.

Everything that Steve had planned to say and had rehearsed on his walk over to the Compton residence seemingly flitted out of his mental grasp and the man was left with his mouth hung agape for a moment before kick starting again, "Well, you see, I…" he shrugged, "I got nothing. I don't really have much to offer you, but well, you saved me back at the vampire camp, and I thought maybe… I don't know; I could help you with your cause and all. I'm really good at…"

Bill cut him off holding up a hand and shaking his head, "That's quite alright. That fight is over for now, and I'm not looking to start a war. Thank you, but no thank you. You've got a new start Steve Newlin, take that and prosper."

Feeling at a loss, Steve watched as Bill began to close the door on him. He blurted out frantically, "I need your help Bill Compton! Please… you're the only one who will." His blue eyes were rimmed with red now, and Steve was doing his best not to cry yet again. He felt like that was all he did these days, and it was a bit unflattering to his ego.

Bill seemed to consider Steve a long while before giving a slight nod and opening the door wide enough to invite Steve in.

Steve showered him with a string of thank yous rushing inside as if Bill might change his mind at any moment.

For Bill's part, he had to wonder if he'd lost his mind inviting Steve Newlin in to his home, but as threats go, the baby vampire didn't exactly have any reasoning to try and cause him trouble now, and after self-proclaiming to be vampire kind's savior it wouldn't exactly be fitting to turn Steve away when he'd come to him asking for help. As it was he felt the need to lay down some rules to make sure Steve understood what would and would not be tolerated, "Newlin, if you are to stay in my abode, we do need to be clear on issues that could arise that I feel quite strongly about."

Steve nodded quickly, "Of course, of course; your house, your rules."

Bill cleared his throat to continue a bit annoyed to be interrupted, and Steve straightened clasping his hands together to show respect as the elder vampire continued, "Yes. My number one rule is no killing unless absolutely necessary. No bringing strangers back to my home. No drinking True Blood or bringing it in the house, in fact you do not drink from anyone that has not been tested for Hep V. Lastly, I'm going to leave you in the care of Jessica, and what she says ultimately goes."

The list had started to get daunting, but understandably agreeable outside the last bit. Steve's mouth quirked at the thought of having to answer to the red-headed teenager whom already made clear her dislike of him, "Jessica? But she's younger than I am…"

Bill cut Newlin off before he could continue, "Those are the rules, if you don't agree with them…"

Bill simply opened the door, and Steve took a step back shaking his head, "No, no, I am fine with that, I was just a little surprised that you would think I needed a babysitter so to speak."

Steve had meant the remark to be a logical sarcastic rebuttal, but Bill shut him down quickly, "From the previous actions of yours that I have been witness to, I would beg to differ. Besides, Jessica may look younger than you, but as a vampire, she is your elder, and she has experiences you can learn from. She is my progeny, and as such, I have invested a lot of my own beliefs in to her, and moreover, I trust her implicitly."

To this statement Steve felt he was already on thin ice and merely nodded feeling a little embarrassed for not having the ability to retort without risking being kicked out within the first few minutes of being allowed in to Bill's home. Jessica couldn't be that bad he assumed, he would get her to warm up to him, and living here would be easy peasy.

…

"You want me to what!?" Jessica exclaimed sitting up like she were having chest pains as she gave Bill an incredulous glare.

Bill sighed having seen this look from Jessica before and being more than capable of surpassing the want to fold under her desires responded, "As your maker, I want you to take on this task."

Jessica groaned that Bill was calling the 'as your maker card' on her, "I can't believe your making me watch over that little prick after everything he's done!"

Bill assured, "He's not a threat to us anymore, and if anything, having him here lets us keep an eye on him, so he can't cause anymore mischief. Consider it a growing experience. It'll give you a chance to see what siring a vampire is like… not that I'm condoning that! But in all honesty, Steve needed a place to stay, and since I saved his life, I felt compelled to help him get on his feet. I've already told him grounds to stay here that you already are aware of as well as that he is to obey your wishes."

"Wait, obey my wishes? Like I can make him do the laundry and take out the trash?" Jessica questioned knowing this wasn't necessarily what Bill expected, but wanting a clear cut definition of what she was able to direct Steve to do.

Bill cut his eyes to the side that look of annoyance coming back across his features, "I expect you to be responsible and obviously not a tyrant, but yes, if he is going to live here than Steve should share in some of the responsibilities of taking care of the manor. More so, I want you to act as a mentor to Mr. Newlin. He's only been a vampire for a little over a year, where you have a good three years on him. It may not seem like much, but you have had a lot more guidance than he has."

"You've got to be kidding me," Jessica growled as she spun to the side of her bed to rise and now paced her agitation. "So what am I supposed to do if he doesn't listen to me? Can I stake him?" She looked almost hopeful, and Bill shook his head no.

"If he becomes difficult to deal with, you have my permission to punish him as you see fit as long as it doesn't involve the true death or extreme torture." Bill felt the need to add that last bit in case Jessica did consider killing Newlin for a slight irritation.

Jessica looked at him dumbfounded, "I'm not exactly an expert at raising baby vamps… hell; I am a baby vamp."

Bill gave her a smile reaching out to embrace her with one arm, "Have a little faith in yourself, I'm sure you'll think of something if the need arises."

…..

Bill and Jessica strode down the stairwell to where Steve waited a sort of anxiousness coming off his person in waves. This whole situation felt a little surreal, and the look of disdain radiating from Jessica was a tad foreboding causing the smile Steve had to falter momentarily, "So… uh, Bill informs me you and I are going to become well acquainted."

Jessica did not set him at ease as she simply crooked her finger at him impatiently to come along, "Let's go Steve."

Steve looked to Bill who simply raised an eyebrow at him. Averting his eyes back to Jessica's unhappy scowl, he chose to look down and begin ascending the stairs to follow Jessica.

As the two made it to the hall, Steve tried to make small talk between the two, "You know, about everything that happened before, I hope that you can let bygones be bygones and…"

Jessica spun around lightning fast grabbing Steve by the hair and slamming him against the wall stating simply, "Don't. Bill may feel some sort of camaraderie to you for being a fellow vampire, but I'm not Bill you got that?"

Taken by surprise, Steve just nodded, and once she had let him go, he followed her with a scowl of his own mumbling under his breath, "Such a bitch!"

Jessica looked to the ceiling pausing to control her anger before slowly turning back to Steve and pointing at her ear, "Super hearing dirt bag. And can I say that you're off to a really bad start with the person that you've been told to obey." Jessica placed both hands on her hips taking a few steps closer to Steve who had put aside all charades of being happy about his new arrangements and was currently attempting to stare her down.

Jessica merely laughed causing his glare to waver. She had cracked through his façade and was now going for blood, "You are the bitch here Steve Newlin, and if you don't like it, guess what, you can go back out into the big cold world and fend for yourself! Now I promised Bill I was going to mentor you but by gods if you test me, I will toss your butt right out the window are we clear?"

Steve's lip trembled in contained anger and frustration. He hated her so much, he almost wanted to risk the coming sun, but deep down, Steve knew he wouldn't survive very long without someone's help. He locked eyes with Jessica and stated softly, "Crystal."

Finally feeling they understood each other, Jessica bobbed her head once before turning back to bring Steve down the hall to the room Bill had appointed him. She flipped the light on to reveal a small room with a dresser and a full sized bed. There were no windows as it looked like it was a large closet converted into a guest bedroom for vampires. It was definitely better than sleeping in a grave or some other make shift dump to keep safe through the day, and for the accommodations Steve felt the need to give a soft thank you.

Jessica seeing he looked rather deflated felt slightly bad for bullying him, "Listen, I'm sorry we kind of got off on the wrong foot earlier. I'm not going to say it's going to be easy for the two of us to get along, but I don't think it's impossible either." She waved him further down the hall, "Come on, you still have vamp camp duds on, so I'm sure you're dying for a shower… that and you kind of stink." She said this last bit as she turned to him giving him a small smile.

Steve gave her a shy smile back happy that Jessica was lightening up on him, "Yeah, a shower sounds great… but I don't have any clothes to change into."

Jessica shrugged, "I'm sure Bill has something I can grab for you that will fit. The towels are in the closet next to the door. Go ahead and jump in, and I'll lay you a change of clothes on your bed for when you get out."

Steve looked at her curiously, "Is that it then?"

Jessica looked confused, "Is what it?"

Steve just shrugged himself, "I don't know, is that all you need me to do?"

Jessica laughed, "Don't worry Cinderella, we can start with the chores tomorrow night. For now go ahead and get settled in, and I'll see you this afternoon. Oh, and don't wake me up unless you really want to see my bitchy side."

Steve smiled tightly not wanting to see Jessica when she deemed she was being bitchy and wondering what the Cinderella comment would entail for tomorrow, but he was not concerned enough to ask at the moment. He was rather weary, and from the ache in his bones, he could feel the sun must be rising. It never ceased to amaze him at his new internal clock and how his body would literally begin to break down if he did not rest when his body dictated.

Climbing into the shower, Steve took his time enjoying washing away so many bad memories that followed shedding the vamp camp jumpsuit. He tried not to think about what the future held because he was unsure he was going to be too happy with it, but he was thankful that he was at least alive to experience it.

Steve made his way back down the hall, and as promised, there was a clean pair of silk pajamas awaiting him on the bed. Jessica had even turned the cover down for him which he thought was rather sweet if a bit unexpected from her. Settling in to bed he took in an unnecessary breath as he drifted off thinking, "This is pretty alright. Maybe things are starting to look up for you Steve Newlin."