Chapter Two:

A week had passed and I found myself more excited than I should have been for the return of Eric Northman. Godric, sensing my excitement, made sure to remind me every day that Eric was returning. As always, he seemed to know much more than anyone else. I tried to hide my excitement as best as I could but even Isabel, one of Godric's most trusted vampires, could see through my act. She would throw me knowing smiles whenever we crossed paths. The vampires in the Texas nest had always been wary of me, not liking that a human was now living among them so freely. While none of them questioned Godric's request, I could hear what they spoke about me, I could see their dislike. Isabel was the only one who welcomed me and trusted me like one of their own. She always had a much deeper compassion for humans than the rest of the nest, having a human lover and all. She treated me like a daughter in a way, a relationship that I never cherished with my own birth mother. Godric was always pleased at our friendship, just wanting peace in his home. Of course, that would have been easier done if I just didn't live here. I had told Godric countless of times that I could leave and make all of their lives easier. But he would always become personally hurt whenever I suggested such a thing.

"Godric requested that you wear something nice this evening." Isabel entered my room without even a knock.

I looked up at the tall brunette with a Spanish accent, smiling warmly as I tugged my brush through my wet tangled hair. I had just exited the shower moments ago and was about to search through the new clothes Godric had purchased for me. I was still confused why I needed such an extensive wardrobe, but he always enjoyed to spoil me even when I didn't need it.

"I don't know what to wear." I glanced at my closet.

Isabel patted my shoulder as she gracefully moved to the closet in a flash, going through the clothes in record time before pulling out a simple emerald green dress. It matched my eyes perfectly, one of the reasons Godric had insisted I got it. Actually, I had refused to get it, not liking dresses at all. But he had snuck it in with the rest of the clothes. That sneaky vampire.

"This will be perfect." She walked back over, laying it beside me on the bed. "Let me do your hair."

"I'm not that pathetic."

She raised an eyebrow and stared down at me. I sighed and rolled my eyes, knowing she was right. I always such a tomboy, even when I did come here to live. I would much rather shorts and a t-shirt than anything girly. Isabel was the complete opposite, always looking perfect in whatever she happened to be wearing. I was jealous of her beauty. I could only imagine how beautiful she was as a human, with colour in her cheeks.

"You're excited for Eric to return." She spoke as she began to work on my hair.

"I'm not."

"I've had hundreds of years to understand the emotions of humans, Ellie. I can smell your excitement." She squeezed my shoulder, as if telling me it was alright to be excited.

I don't even know why I was so excited to see the blonde vampire. So he was tall and gorgeous, it wasn't like I even knew him. The last time he was here, he was glaring so deeply at me that I was afraid I was just going to drop dead by the look. Godric hadn't spoken much about Eric, who was apparently the vampire child of Godric, made over a thousand years ago. There was just something about the blonde vampire that caused my entire body to bounce with excitement. I just couldn't explain it. Maybe I had just spent too much time around vampires. Hell, I was even losing my Texas tan by doing so. I was probably just losing my mind along with it.

That was my story and I was sticking with it.

"All done." Isabel took a step back.

I shot a look over into the mirror across the room, and smiled as I fingered the hair that now lay to one side, flowing over my shoulder. My hair was a mixture of brown and reds, all completely natural. I had gotten the colour from my father who had the same. My hair usually fell past my shoulders in a natural wave, but tonight it was completely straight, a task I was never usually able to achieve.

"Thanks Isabel." I smiled up at her.

She simply smiled in return before leaving the room. I gazed down at the dark green dress and sighed, I suppose it was now or never to get into that thing. I stood and let my towel drop to the ground as I picked up the dress, scrutinizing every inch of it. It was as smooth as silk, shining in the light of my room. There were two thick straps at the top that curved up towards the neck in a faux halter fashion, crisscrossing in the back. The dress itself hugged my body from what I remembered when I first tried it on, flattering the curves I never knew I had. It fell halfway down my thighs, a bit too short for my liking but Godric complemented how the dress made my legs look. He would always complement me. I needed it after the attack, the bruises and cuts littering my body killing any self esteem I had. It took a long time to be able to call myself at least half decent in the beauty department. Godric made sure to always tell me I was beautiful, though I always shrugged it off. He was most definitely a gentleman, even as a vampire. I suppose that's what happens after being alive for 2000 years.

"Well well, don't you just look delicious."

I let out a squeak of surprise at the rough voice, pulling the dress up against my front as I spun around to glare at the vampire standing in the doorway. I tried to hide my naked body with the dress, though his eyes had already seen enough.

"What do you want Stan?"

"Just enjoying the view." He leaned against the doorframe, a smirk on his face as his eyes roamed over my body. He licked his lips, making sure to show me his fangs were out. I shuddered at the sight of them. I never liked Stan. He always tried to go against Godric's wishes, especially with me. On more than one occasion he had tried to bite me, either that or have sex with me. But either Godric or Isabel would hear and would stop it. I don't know why Godric kept him around, but I knew he was a strong vampire, and was good for battle and to keep others in line. I just wish Godric was able to keep him in line as well.

"Go away Stan." I grasped onto the dress tightly.

"Yes, do allow the girl to get dressed without interruption."

I sighed in relief as Godric suddenly appeared in the bedroom, standing between Stan and me as a shield. Stan scowled as he glared down at the younger appearing vampire, though he knew that the image was deceiving. Godric was one of the oldest vampires in the world, as well as one of the most powerful. Stan was no match for Godric, and he knew that Godric wouldn't hesitate to become violent if he even so touched a hair on my head. Stan turned and stormed down the hall, muttering curses under his breath. Godric sighed as he shook his head and turned around. His eyes, unlike Stan's, were only on my eyes, never letting his gaze drift below my chin.

"I apologize for Stan, my child."

"It's alright Godric." I attempted the smile, still keeping the dress up against my naked skin. Even with it being Godric in the room, I still felt self conscious. "Would you mind..."

"Of course." He nodded with a warm smile. "Eric shall be arriving in minutes."

He gave me a knowing look before parting from my room. I made sure to close and lock my door after him, not needing another intruder. Godric had made it known that my bedroom was out of bounds unless I gave the other vampires permission to enter. He knew that even to this day, I still felt discomfort around others when Godric and Isabel were not present. I appreciated his caring and protective nature. He really was like the brother that I never had.

I quickly pulled the dress on, not wanting a repeat occurrence. As I stared at myself in the mirror, now wearing the dress with my hair falling over my one shoulder, I could indeed say that I looked pretty. Maybe not beautiful, but indeed pretty. I slipped my feet into a pair of flats, knowing that I would never be able to wear heels with my clumsy nature, before making my way to the door. I could faintly hear the sounds of chatting and wondered if Eric was here yet. I opened the door a crack, and heard the smooth voice of Godric, the happiness in his tone clear as day. I smiled as I stepped out of my room, closing the door behind me as I began down the hallway. I stood at the top of the stairs, unnoticed by the three vampires standing in the main foyer. I realized that out of all of them, I was the only one dressed up. My cheeks flamed a deep shade of red as I contemplated running back to my room and changing. Though I knew Godric requested this, and didn't want to disappoint him. I stood there, just watching as Isabel and Godric spoke with the blonde vampire that had returned.

Eric Northman looked exactly like I had remembered, except for the hair. Before it had been long and fell into his face. But now it was short and slicked back, showing off his facial features at those striking blue eyes even more prominently. I approved of the change, the new look suiting the vampire. I almost wanted to hit myself for that thought. What did it matter if I liked the hair cut? He was just another vampire. I had to remind myself of that. I didn't even know him! I really needed to cut out whatever it was that I was feeling.

"The arrangements have been made." Isabel spoke. "You'll leave in two days."

"Why do you ask this of me Godric?" the blonde vampire ignored Isabel and spoke to Godric, staring down at the shorter vampire.

"Because I trust you, Eric."

"You trust many others. Why me?" Eric didn't seem to accept Godric's answer.

"I wish for her to be safe, I know she will be with you."

"Why do you care so suddenly about a human." A look of disgust crossed his face. I began to realize now that this conversation was about me. Now I was most definitely intrigued by Eric's visit. "You've never had a compassion for them in the past."

"Times have changed, my child. This is no longer the time for hate and ill feelings towards humans."

"They won't hesitate to betray us."

"They have a right to be afraid of us, Eric. We have not given them a reason to trust us. We cannot judge them because of their fear."

Eric's jaw locked as his eyes looked away from his maker. My eyes widened as I realized his gaze was moving up the stairs before falling on me. Now would have been a good time to pretend that I needed to use the bathroom, but I had never been that bright. Both Isabel and Godric followed his gaze, the two smiling when they saw me. I smiled shyly as I looked down at my feet.

"You look as beautiful as I remembered you in that dress, Elizabeth." Godric spoke, waving a hand to motion me down the stairs.

I blushed at his comment and slowly began down the stairs. I laid a hand on the railing in fear of falling and making a fool of myself. I could feel their eyes on me the entire time, unnerving me to no end. Especially that one striking set of eyes that seemed to be boring into my skull. I could feel his glare on me, and as best as I could try and ignore it, it was impossible. I wondered what I had done to make him hate me in such a way. Or was it just because I was human? This was why the world was so split apart. If only humans and vampires would stop acting like five year olds, then there wouldn't be so much hate in the world. Or at least that's what Godric would preach. I just happened to agree with him.

"Eric, meet Elizabeth Cole." Godric laid a hand on my back once I reached the bottom of the stairs.

Eric only nodded before his eyes finding Godric's. I had to suppress the want to frown and instead flashed on the fakest smile that I could produce.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Northman. Godric speaks very highly of you." I tried to keep my voice from wavering. I hadn't remembered feeling this nervous in his presence when he was here a week ago.

He acted as if I wasn't even there. He muttered something to Godric before walking past us and into the den, closing the sliding doors behind him. My face fell as I stared at the closed doors. I wasn't sure what I had been expecting out of the new vampire, but it most certainly wasn't this.

"I apologize. He has never taken well to humans like I have." Godric sighed with a frown.

"It's okay." I spoke softly, my eyes drifting back down to my feet.

"Let me speak to him in private before we begin." He laid a hand on my shoulder, running his hand down my straight locks. "You do look beautiful tonight Elizabeth."

"Thank you Godric." I couldn't help but smile at his words. He always made me feel special.

"Let's find you something to eat Ellie; you have yet to eat today." Isabel put an arm around my shoulders and turned me down the hallway towards the kitchen.

I nodded and glanced over my shoulder as we left Godric. I watched as he walked towards the den at a human's pace, his eyes catching mine briefly before he entered the den and began what I could only presume to be a long and tedious conversation.