A/N. This is my first attempt at writing anything, so bear with me while I get my feet wet. It begins in TB episode 2x09, I Will Rise Up, just after Nan strips Godric of his title as Sheriff. In this story, Godric is NOT suicidal, and will NOT be voluntarily meeting the sun. Also, since the ending to the whole MaryAnn storyline was so anticlimatic, in my world, it never happened! Everything in Bon Temps was just fine while Sookie, Bill, Jason and Eric were away in Dallas. Please R&R!!

PROLOGUE

SPOV

Cold. No other word can better describe the way the room around me feels. Even standing directly in front of the fire, I cannot stop the goose pimples and shivers from racking my body. Cold, because, besides the fire, the only source of heat in the room is me. The other four current occupants, being Vampires, have no warmth coming off their skin. But, also, cold with indifference. Godric gave himself over to the Fellowship to prevent what would've been a massive battle, and, instead of thanking him, Nan Flanagan has stripped him of his title, belittled him, his child, and his replacement. And she's the one the vamps have chosen to represent them on TV because she can appear compassionate?

The four vampires in the room are like statues. Godric, standing at the window, seems to be looking out at the vast city of Dallas, almost as if he is saying goodbye to a devoted lover. Isabel, looking at Godric, though, I dare say she is not seeing HIM, but rather, what he has been, that she must now be. Bill, hands balled into fists at his side, head turned down towards the floor, his eyes closed in anger. I'm not sure what he is so angry about, however, all I need to do is look to the right to see. Eric, an odd look of calm upon his features, is staring at ME.

I begin to fidget, simply because the tension in the room is becoming so uncomfortable. If someone doesn't do something soon, I may scream just to elicit a reaction from them. "Eric," Godric beings, not moving from his position at the window, "I'm assuming you would have no objections to my relocating to your area for the time being?" At this, Eric finally, however reluctantly, shifts his gaze to his maker, looking somewhat taken aback. "Yes, Godric. We would be honored to have you there for as long as you desired it." Then, the silence returns. Thankfully, though, Eric's gaze did not return to me.

After a few more moments of loaded silence, Godric turns to look at the rest of us. Almost like he has flipped a switch, this movement causes the other three vampire to snap-out of their trancelike states. "Isabel, if you should so desire, once the repairs on the nest have been completed, you are welcome to make it your own. Otherwise, you may sell it. It seems I will no longer be in need of it."

"Godric, are you sure this is the right thing to do? Perhaps you could petition to regain your title?" Although her face holds a small amount of hope, her voice betrays the fact that she knows it is not likely to happen.

"No. I am actually looking forward to handing you the reigns, so to speak. I know that you will excel in the position, and I am in need of new scenery. Come Eric, we have much to do to arrange for my relocating, and not much time to do it in, as the sun will rise soon."

With that, Isabel and Godric go towards the door, however, Eric stays a moment longer, shifting his gaze to Bill.

"Compton. There is no further need for you or Sookie to be here. You will arrange for a flight back to Shreveport immediately. Sookie, once I have returned with Godric, I will contact you regarding payment for your services to me." The way he said services almost made it sound like I'd been his whore.

"Not so fast Eric." Bill said, stepping in between the door and Eric, effectively blocking him from leaving. "We still have a score to settle." And before I even had a chance to flinch, Bill punched Eric square in the jaw, causing his face to turn back in my direction, and blood to seep from his mouth. Eric, moving his eyes to lock with mine, simply replied, "It's done. I'm part of her now." Then, turning back to Bill, "and you will do well to remember that I am your Sheriff. It is only for Sookie's sake that I do not stake you here myself. Insubordination will NOT be tolerated." And with that, he left the room, following Godric and Isabel, leaving Bill and I alone.

"Sookie, I will make the flight arrangements for us to return to Bon Temps. I would like for you to be prepared to leave for the airport this afternoon. Let Jason know to do the same."

And with that, he turned his back on me, walked to the bedroom, and shut the door. Well, the sun hadn't even risen yet and this day had already gone straight to hell.

CHAPTER ONE

SPOV

"Night, Sam." I said over my shoulder as I walked out the employee entrance to Merlotte's. I had just finished my shift, it was 7pm, being so late in the year, it was full dark, and I was anxious to get home. In the six weeks since returning from Dallas, my relationship with Bill has gotten more and more odd. When we first returned home, it was almost as if he didn't want to get within arms length of me. We still saw each other every night, but, it always seemed like he was hesitant to touch me. As time continued on, he finally had started to act like his old self. Tonight, when he rose, he was headed to Shreveport to purchase some new software for his computer. The plan was for him to come to my place once he was back, and we would cuddle up and watch old movies on TV.

I wasn't expecting him until around 9 or so, and was therefore confused by the knock at my door about ten minutes after I got home. Opening the front door, I immediately rolled my eyes. "I should've known you'd show up on my doorstep sooner of later. What can I do for you, Eric?"

It was then that I noticed he was not alone. Halfway up the porch stairs behind Eric, stood Godric, gazing out at the horizon as if it held the answers to life's greatest mysteries. "I would've rather it had been sooner, Sookie, but, things have been busy. Did you miss me?" Yup, Eric was in fine form tonight.

"What is this about?" It was then that Godric turned his attention to me and climbed the rest of the staircase. "Miss Stackhouse, Eric mentioned to me that he needed to see you in order to pay you for helping us in Dallas, and I asked if I might come along so I could speak with you. May we come in?"

I'll admit, I was tempted to extend an invitation to my home to Godric only and make Eric sit on the porch and wait, but, knowing that he probably had a check for me with him, I gave in to the impulse to be the charming hostess as Gran would've liked me to be."

"Yes, of course, please, both of you, come in," I said while stepping aside to let them enter my home. Eric took three steps into the house, turned, and proceeded to let his eyes roam over my body. Godric, however, stepped inside and looked around, taking in his surroundings. As if sensing my tenseness at Eric's appraisal, he said ,"Miss Stackhouse, the reason I asked Eric to allow me to join him in seeing you this evening, is that I have a favor to ask of you."

Hmmm….a favor from a Vampire. Conversation which start like this, NEVER end well.