Disclaimer: not mine!
A/N: So! I absolutely adore the Sookie Stackhouse novels and True Blood and this little plot bunny has been bugging me for at least a week now so I want to go ahead and start it. This I guess can be considered slightly AU because I'm not following the third season (which is fantastical by the way!). Hope you like it.
She wasn't from around here.
That was the first thought that came to Sookie Stackhouse when she eyed the slim girl walking through the door into Merlotte's. She couldn't have been more than fifteen and though she looked like a normal teenage girl, her massively curly brown hair lose around her face, dressed in tight jeans and an even tighter shirt underneath her sweater, there was something off about the way her grey eyes scanned the bar suspiciously. It was obvious too that this girl was a traveler, her boats worn and her backpack bulging and straining against the strap on her shoulder. So where in the world was she from?
Sookie gazed at her wearily. Bon Temp hadn't had very good luck with people rolling into town unexpected. There was no way she was going to let something like what happened with Maryanne happen again. They had already lost Eggs because of that and Tara was still so obviously devastated. It could be anyone else this time.
And so, concentrating, Sookie reached out, trying to listen to the girl's mind . . . and she got nothing.
Well, maybe not nothing, not like with the vampires. . . . Something was there but it was fuzzy and colorful and just . . . unintelligible.
No!
Sookie blinked in surprised as she was pushed out, away from the girl's mind.
The girl's eyes snapped in Sookie's direction, wide and frightened, and she stared at the blonde for a second before bolting out the door again. Ignoring Sam calling her name, Sookie set down the tray she had been holding and followed the girl.
"Wait!" Sookie cried out, running after the girl into the parking lot, the sun slowly setting in the background.
They were far enough now that no one would hear or see them from the bar if this random girl chose to turn violent but Sookie didn't think it would come to that. Even with just the few seconds Sookie had truly gotten to look at her, she could tell the girl was tired and weak.
The girl stumbled, falling forward onto her hands. She turned over, glaring up at Sookie. "You just stay back!" she screamed, holding up scraped and bloodied hands.
Sookie slowed, approaching her in the same one would a wild animal. "You're hurt. I can help you, if you'll let me."
The girl scoffed. "'Help me? Help me how? By taking me to Eric?"
"Eric?" Sookie asked confused. "As in Eric Northman? What does he have to do with any thing?"
"Don't play dumb!" the teenager screamed. "You have his signature all over you! I know he's been looking for me and you're probably just another one of his minions!"
This time it was Sookie's turn to scoff. "'One of his minions'? I can barely stand Eric Northman, let alone be one of his minions."
"Right." The girl stood up painfully. She glared at Sookie. "I'm getting out of this town. If you knew what was good for you, you'd keep your mouth shut about seeing me."
"Wait," Sookie called out once more as the girl went to walk away. The older woman glanced up at the sky. "It's almost dark. If you're trying to get out of Bon Temp before Eric awakes, you're not going to do it by walking. . . . Give me a second."
Sookie ran inside Merlotte's, approaching her boss. Sam gazed at her with concern. "What's goin' on, Sook?"
"There's, ah . . . ." Sookie searched for the words to say. "A little situation Sam. I'm going to need to take off a little early."
Sam looked around the bar and Sookie followed his gaze. It was far from crowded, making this a very slow night. Arlene catered to the customers that were there now and Jessica would be in as soon as the sun set. Sam sighed. "I guess so but Sookie who is that girl?"
"Someone who needs help," Sookie answered.
"You don't know her name." When the blonde didn't answer, Sam shook his head before dropping his voice to a whisper. "You're a glutton for punishment Sookie Stackhouse. She wasn't human! I could catch that much. For all you know she could mean trouble."
Sookie placed a hand on Sam's shoulder. "I'm sure it'll be fine, Sam. After all, she's just a kid. How much trouble could one teenager be?"
So five minutes later, Sookie and . . . well, she still didn't know the girl's name and the teen wasn't sharing any information, were driving down the street away from Merlotte's.
"So where can I take you?" Sookie asked as the sun lowered in the west.
The girl yawned widely before she answered. "Would it be too much for me to ask you to drop me outside of the city?"
A growl of sorts could be heard through the car and the girl placed her hand over her stomach. Sookie glanced over at her, noticing in the dark the bags under her eyes and how skinny and frail she looked. "You're dead on your feet."
The girl chuckled. "Funny thing for you to say considering the company you keep."
Sookie smiled slightly, deciding not to ask about what she had said earlier, about Eric's 'signature'. "I guess it is. But like I was saying, you're in no fit way to be walking or hitchhiking anywhere, at least not tonight. And even if you get out of the city as soon as Eric wakes up isn't he going to recognize your scent? How long has he been looking for you?"
The girl sighed. "Years. Decades. Centuries."
Sookie glanced at her again, once more deciding not to ask. "How about you come stay at my house? It would just be for the night," she reassured when the girl looked sharply in her direction. "You could get some rest and a hot meal in you. Then tomorrow you can leave whenever you feel. What do you say?"
Silence overtook the car for a moment before the girl's stomach growled again. "Alright," she agreed.
The two women traveled in silence again, all the way to Sookie's house. Sookie thought about Sam and hoped she was making the right decision. If not, she said to herself as she glanced up at the now darkened sky, Bill should be awake by now.
They arrived at Sookie's home, Sookie pulling the car up the drive. She turned off the engine, unlocking the doors. She looked over to the teenager with a smile. "Here we are."
Sookie climbed out the car, the girl following her lead as Sookie chatted away. "I'll just pop something in the oven for you. I've got plenty of leftovers. Are you allergic to anything? While you're eating I'll just get the spare bedroom ready for you. Tara will be off work later so you probably won't get to meet her. I'm sure she'd like you. Hey –" Sookie had reached the door, keys in the lock pulling it open. When she looked over her shoulder, it wasn't to find the girl standing behind her but still standing at the car, eyes wide with fear and her body tensed.
"Get in the house," she muttered.
"What?"
The girl slammed the car door shut. "Get in the –!"
A flash. The girl went flying, slamming into a tree and where she had stood before stood a vicious looking vampire.
Sookie screamed but the vampire paid her no mind, advancing on the teenager. "Shouldn't have stopped, Lokali. Now . . . you belong to us."
"No!" Sookie cried out running down the steps.
Three things happened in rapid succession: the dark haired vampire turned in Sookie's direction, Bill suddenly appeared in front of Sookie, his fangs bared, and, lastly, a gunshot rang through the air.
Sookie peered under Bill's arm as the other vampire placed his hand against his chest, pulling it away to reveal blood and a silver bullet. He was shocked, mostly, Sookie believed, because she knew the shot would heal soon, even if it had been a silver bullet, but his pause was enough time for the teenager to jump on his back, wrapping a silver chain around his neck.
The sound of his screams filled the night as he bucked, trying to get rid of his burden. The girl held on tight with the gun and the ends of the chain in one hand.
"Fucking bastard!" the girl screamed just before she plunged a stake with her free hand into his heart. The vampire stopped, falling to his knees and then to the ground, the girl still on his back. She stood, removing the chain and kicking the vampire over to grab the stake from his body. "Damn it. It never fails. I'm going to kill Eric for this."
Sookie stared at the girl with wide eyes. If she hadn't thought something was weird before she certainly did now. "How –?"
"Do you have a bathroom I could use, Sookie?" she interrupted, her breath coming out in gasps.
Sookie could only nodded and the girl thanked her before moving past her and Bill into the house. It was then that Sookie noticed she was holding her hand to her side, blood starting to flow.
"Sookie!" Bill called as she ran after the teen. He followed, shutting the door behind him. "What is going on?"
"She's hurt," Sookie said, moving towards the bathroom but Bill grabbed her arm.
"You need to explain to me what's going on right now," Bill said, angrily. "You could have been killed! Who is she?"
"Well . . . I don't really know."
"You don't know?"
"No . . . but it took a lot to get her to trust me. She thinks Eric –" Sookie froze, turning towards the door. The sound of heavy footsteps. "Eric. . . . Eric, I rescind your invitation into my house!"
There was a pause . . . and then a knock on the door. Sookie hesitantly approached the entrance to her home, pulling the door open.
The Viking vampire, Eric Northman stood on her porch with barely concealed anger. "Let me in now."
"Hello Eric," Sookie said with a force smiled. "Good evening to you."
"Now is not the time to test me, Sookie," Eric said. "Where is she? I can smell her all over your porch."
"Who?"
Eric's nostrils flared as he looked to Bill. "Bill Compton, as your Sheriff, I command you tell her to let me in. Now."
"Fuck you!" Sookie and Bill turned as the girl appeared behind them. She was holding a towel to her side now, trying to staunch the blood flow. She glared at Eric. "This is Sookie's house. If she's taken away your invite that's her business. Don't you have someone else's live to ruin?"
Eric smirked. "Nice to see you again too."
The girl screamed with rage, throwing a vase through the door that Eric caught. "You're such a fucking jerk! Do you think that I'd forgive you for this? Well you've got another thing coming!"
With another loud scream the girl moved back into the bathroom, slamming the door shut.
Eric shook his head. "She hasn't changed one bit."
He looked to Sookie, all seriousness now. "You have to let me take her away from here."
"What could you possibly want with a fifteen year old girl?" Sookie asked, angrily.
Eric smirked. "That 'girl' as you called her, is seven hundred and seventeen years old. But that is besides the matter. The longer she stays here, the more dangerous it is for you."
Bill took Sookie's arm. "What do you mean?"
Eric crossed his arms. "Maybe you didn't notice the vampire body on Sookie's driveway. There's somebody looking for her. She's not safe."
"She thinks it's you," Sookie informed him. "She thinks you've been sending this people after her."
The 1000-year-old vampire actually looked surprised though it was gone quickly. "Why would I do that? I was charged to look after her."
This was news to Sookie, obviously. "What is she?"
Eric looked to the ground. "She is a Lokali, an immortal. Her name is Serendipity."
Seven hundred and thirteen years ago
Blood.
Oh God it was so close and he was so thirsty.
In all the three hundred and so years since he had been made, he had never smelled blood like this. It smelled so sweet and delectable.
Distantly he could hear Godric calling his name, but he ignored his master for the first time. Whatever was the matter he'd figure out later. Right now, he needed that blood.
Eric slowed to a halt, scooping the area. In front of him, a small British village was burnt to the ground. People were dying around him, some already dead but he ignored cries for help and proceeded forward.
It was here.
He heard the snap of a twig and he turned, fangs bared before rushing into the woods near the village where he had heard the sound. He stopped again, smiling excitedly.
A girl.
A little child who couldn't have been more than four.
She backed away from him as he approached, looking absolutely frightened but, of course, why wouldn't she be? Eric took another stepped forward and the girl found herself stuck, at lost for what to do.
Eric grabbed her arms, pulling her towards him.
"Eric. Let her go now." He hadn't shouted but Godric rarely ever did. The firmness in his voice and the command by his maker was enough for Eric to retract his fangs and let the girl go.
With a whimper she ran behind him, wrapping her arms around Godric's leg. Eric faced the two as Godric looked down, placing his hand on top of the girl's curly hair. Eric swallowed. "I apologize. What – what is she?"
Godric kneeled, placing his cool hands on the girls face to brush away the soot and blood. "A Lokali, an immortal. What happened here, little one?" he asked the girl in English.
"Monsters," she replied softly. "They killed my mommy and daddy."
"She is one of us?" Eric asked.
"No," Godric said with a smile. "She is a lot more special than we are. There are only a few of her kind left. I believe she is one of the lucky ones," he added looking off towards the destruction.
Godric looked back to the girl with a smile, speaking English again. "Would you like to stay with us little one?"
The girl glanced at Eric. "He's scary."
"He couldn't harm a fly. We will protect you." Godric bent over, scooping the little girl into her arms. He looked to Eric again. "It was fate that we found her. She will be our little Serendipity."
"Obviously, Immortals live forever," Eric explained. "But that is where they're similarities with us end. Immortals are born, not made, mostly through mating with humans. Immortals are also very fragile. They can be killed just like a human can. They are held in very high regard, especially for their ability to see signatures."
"What does that mean?" Sookie asked. "She mentioned it earlier. She said I carried your signature."
"A signature is just how it sounds: a mark that proves your identity. A person leaves their mark wherever they've been or with whomever they've been around. The way a signature is seen is different for each Immortal. For Serendipity, she sees in colors."
Well that explained a lot. Except – "Why is it so important that you have her now?"
Bill murmured her name and Sookie crossed her arms but didn't take her gaze from Eric's, who was watching her with a blank gaze. She knew she was asking a lot of questions, demanding answers she didn't really deserve to have but Serendipity trusted her.
Eric took a breath. "Serendipity was always a come and go sort of girl. She had had Godric's blood and he could always find her. We kept her a secret from others because of how valuable she is. When Godric surrendered himself to the sun, he asked me to find her. Without Godric's continues protection, many will seek to find her, just like they've already been doing. She is one of the last of her kind, making her practically royalty. She has to be kept safe and I will do so whether you want me to or not.
"Now," Eric proclaimed, clapping his hands together, "are you going to invite me in? Because she's clearly not going to come out."
Sookie hesitated but then Bill placed his hand on her shoulder. "It will be the best for both of you, Sookie," he muttered.
She sighed. "She's going to hate me."
"Better that than you dead," Eric intoned.
The blond glared up at him. "Eric, would you like to come in?"
Eric moved down the hall to where he had heard the door slam. He wrapped his hand around the knob, pulling it open.
Serendipity stood in the mirror, no longer a fifteen year old girl but stopping around the age of twenty-five. Her eyes were closed and she was taking deep, even breaths, a towel still pressed against her side where she had been bleeding.
She had removed her shirt now, leaving her clad in a plain blue bra, her bushy hair pulled up with a hair tie she had found, leaving Eric with the view of the tattoo on her back. It started as a bright golden rose, splayed out at the back of her neck, two little leaves at the sides. Vines and leaves traveled from the rose between her shoulder blades, down her back, littler golden roses sprawled between the vines, and ending just at her lower back.
"Well look who has become a full grown Lokali," he muttered, causing her to spin around.
"She let you in!" Serendipity screamed.
"Time for us to go," Eric replied and, before she could protest, he grabbed her, throwing her over his shoulder.
"Ow!" she yelled. "Put me down!"
Eric passed Bill and Sookie, nodding to them. "Thank you very much for your cooperation."
Serendipity kicked her feet and hands, trying to get Eric to let her go but of course it was like striking a brick wall. "Did you not understand me? Ég hata þig! Þú ert villa afsökun fyrir mann! Ég vona að einhver árás þig með skít hlaða af silfri og leyfi þér að rotna í fuck sun!"
Eric jostled Serendipity on his shoulder. "That wasn't very nice."
"What was that?" Sookie asked.
"Icelandic. Well, good night to you both."
Another frustrated scream was all they heard from Serendipity before Eric ran out of sight.
A/N: Hope you liked. If you want to know what Serendipity said just ask :-D It may not be polite to reveal it in the actual story. Thanks everyone! Bye!