Summary:

A different take on how things could have gone in Dallas when Bill's true colors start showing. Not Pro Bill. Eventual S/G or S/G/E.

Disclaimers: I own nothing. They all belong to someone else.

A/N: Chapter revised 10/23/11

Chapter 2: Uncertainty

Eric led the way to the garage as his maker continued to help the telepath protectively close. Entering the large garage he hesitated for a moment.

"The Bentley. It will be most comfortable." Godric's voice in his head made the decision for him.

Speaking quietly, the ancient vampire explained the plan to Sookie. "I'm going to drive to the hotel. My childe will sit with you to make sure you are safe." It would be unlikely for an attack to be made on the car, but he was inclined to be cautious.

Slipping into position beside her, the Viking's strong arm replaced his maker's as he pulled her close. Opening the rear door he assisted her in before sliding in next to her and pulling her close. After everything that happened so far in Dallas, the woman had good reason to fall apart and he was quite impressed that she hadn't.

"Sookie, you can stay in our room for the day if you are not comfortable returning to Bill." He offered as Godric pulled onto the street. Knowing how crowded the hotel would be he assumed Godric would join him in one of the largest suites in the hotel.

"Thanks Eric, but I have a feeling the longer I put him off the angrier he's going to get." She unconsciously rubbed her arm where bruises had formed for Bill's rough handling. Seeing the concern in Eric's eyes she continued, "I'm confused, I thought he loved me, but I'm starting to feel like something isn't right." Her body tensed involuntarily as they spoke of the first vampire she'd even known.

Eric looked as surprised as she felt realizing she'd just spoken her silent concern aloud, to him of all people. Looking up to the rear view mirror she could see the concern in the other vampire's eyes. Holding his gaze, she felt her muscles being to relax slightly as if her body knew he would protect her.

After a few moments of silence Godric spoke up, "Little one, know that you are welcome to come to us or our room at any time. We will get an extra key from the desk so you can access our room even if we are dead for the day."

"Thanks, both of you, for everything." Leaning into Eric's side, she marveled at the position she was in. How strange to feel safer with two men she barely knew than the one that professed to love her.

The remainder of the drive past in apparent silence as Sookie stared out the window oblivious to the silent exchange between Godric and Eric.

"Godric, she is right. Something is going on with Bill Compton. I haven't trusted him since his sudden move to BonTemps and my instincts tell me he's about to become a major thrown in my side as well as hers."

"I believe so my childe. You must get to the bottom of it and find out what his purpose is. Something tells me he's working for someone else. In the meantime, look out for her as I'm sure she will do for you."

"But what of you?" Eric asked silently, something about the way Godric's words came across made it feel like he wouldn't be there.

"Later my childe, we are here and it will be dawn soon. There will be time to talk later. For now we need to make sure Sookie is taken care of." With that Godric pulled the car to stop in front of the hotel and stepped out as the valet opened the door.

Godric's avoidance of the question made Eric tense. The uneasy feeling from the nest returning, something was going on with his maker. He spoke as if he would be gone.

Leaving the car with the valet the three quickly made their way into the lobby. Approaching the desk, the hotel manager stepped in front of the receptionist before the girl could speak.

"Mr. Northman, how can we be of assistance? I trust everything is to your liking in your suite." Seeing Godric step out from behind the taller vampire, the woman jumped slightly. "Sir, I am so sorry to hear about the damage to your home. We are, of course, making every accommodation possible available to your staff. Will you be needing room? Mr. Northman has the best suite, but I am sure I can arrange something.

Smiling at the women, he spoke to cease her rambling. "There is no need. I will share his suite. We just need to two additional keys." Pulling Sookie close to him, he indicated the second key was for her.

Eyeing the human woman, the manager silently wished she knew how to be so lucky. She knew nothing of vampire politics, but these two were clearly powerful. Picking up the other woman's thoughts, Sookie did her best to keep a straight face as Godric made the manager more jealous.

"Should Ms. Stackhouse need anything, I trust she will have no difficulty getting assistance." Vampire hotels were notoriously less welcoming to human guests than their vampire clientele.

"Of course, sir. I will personally see to it." With that the three turned to the elevators.

Once on the elevator, Eric took the opportunity to speak. "You can come to our room at any time and if you need food or anything else just have them charge it to my room."

When the doors opened, they all stepped out. Facing the vampires, she spoke quietly. "Thanks Eric, I'll see you two tomorrow." Quickly hugging them both, she turned straightening her back, steeling herself for the coming confrontation, silently hoping that Bill had calmed down.

TRUE COLORS / TRUE COLORS / TRUE COLORS / TRUE COLORS

Quietly slipping the key into the door and opening it, Sookie breathed a sigh of relief as she realized Bill had not yet returned. She could sense the void of Jessica's head in the adjoining room, but decided to take care of her human needs before checking on the young vampire.

Grabbing a change of clothes she headed into the bathroom. Keeping her shields down, she was unwilling to be caught off guard by Bill's return as she rushed through her shower and dressing.

Just as she stepped out of the bathroom Bill entered the room, flinging the door roughly open. It was apparent he hadn't really calmed down, especially when he started in on her immediately.

"Nice to see you where you belong," he growled. "I feared they would force you to stay with them for the day."

"I'm fine, thanks for asking," she replied sarcastically. It hurt more than she cared to admit that his first statement was one of possession and a jab at the two that saved her rather than any concern for her well-being. Moving away from the bathroom door, she didn't want to end up trapped with no exit.

Seeming to ignore her comment, instead he continued on more calmly. "What were you thinking letting him trick you into feeding him? You know Eric is just trying to come between us." Approaching slowly he reached out a hand to her. Starting to realize that yelling at her wouldn't help his cause, he still believed she was naïve enough to be easily convinced he only acted as he did out of love and concern. If he could get her to calm down, he was confident he could distract her until the other vampires were forgotten.

At this moment, Sookie wished that she was able to read his mind. She knew the two vampires were always at odds with each other and that it would drive him crazy that it was Eric that fed from her. Was that all this was? His calm tone was so much at odds with his entrance and everything from the last day that she wasn't sure what to think.

"Sookie, I love you and you are mine. I don't want you to spend time with the two of them without me there. I'm afraid they will try to take you." Pulling her into an embrace, he waited for her to melt into him as she always did.

She rolled her eyes. Again with the possession? Did he really think she was some toy to argue over or a pet to be locked away? Pushing against his chest, she managed to free herself in his surprise.

"You know, I don't think you've listened to a thing I've said today. It's almost dawn and we obviously don't have time to finish this tonight. I'm going to sleep in Jessica's room for the day." Placing a quick kiss on his cheek, she turned to grab a few things and head toward Jessica's room. Part of her wanted to escape to the sheriffs, but running to them seemed wrong. After all, this was her messed up situation, not theirs.

Frozen where he stood at the shock of her behavior, Bill started to argue with her, but realized that he would be dead for the day soon thought better of it. At least this way she was still in their suite and with his childe instead of with the insipid males that were trying to ruin everything.

Sookie barely grazed the connecting door with her hand when it opened. Slightly startled, she realized Jessica's vampire hearing Jessica meant she likely heard the entire exchange. Stepping through the door, she felt Jessica's arm slip around her as the door was shut firmly behind them.

"Are you okay? What happened today that set him off?" Jessica looked genuinely concerned for the woman that had become her friend since she was turned. Lord knows she was a better friend that Bill was a maker. Leading the telepath toward the bed, she turned them to sit on the edge.

Knowing she only had a few minutes before Jessica died for the day and that Bill would likely hear anything she said, the blonde kept her reply short. "It's a long story and I'm pretty sure I'm in no shape to tell it all now. Let's just leave it at Mr. High and Mighty seems to be under the impression that I'm just a possession with no right or ability to make my own decisions."

Jessica laughed sympathetically as her maker had a tendency to treat her the same way. "Planning to prove him wrong?"

"I'm not sure, but while I figure it out can I borrow your key to run down and grab something to eat before I turn in? I don't want to have to go back through his room." She knew she could have ordered room service, but she really wanted a few minutes alone to think.

"Sure thing." Grabbing the key, she handed it to Sookie. "Don't worry about disturbing me when you come back in, I'll be dead to the world." Happy to see the small smile spread across her friend's face, Jessica moved to get ready for dawn.

"Thanks, I'll see you tonight." With that Sookie ducked out of the room and headed to the elevator.

TRUE COLORS / TRUE COLORS / TRUE COLORS / TRUE COLORS

Eric knew he shouldn't interfere, but after feeling Sookie's spike of anger he just couldn't settle in for the day until he made sure she was okay. Telling himself he was just going to stop by quickly under the pretense of letting Bill know that the American Vampire League rep would be here and required all of them to be in attendance just after sunset, he left his quite as Godric watched. Approaching Bill's room he heard a phone ringing, but no sign of Sookie.

"Your Majesty, what can I do for you?" The Viking heard Compton's voice as he answered the phone.

Standing frozen outside the door he realized he may learn something about what Compton was up to. Instinctively leaning closer, he could make out the voice on the other side of the phone.

"I need you to deliver the telepath earlier than planned. I need her within 72 hours. Do you understand?" Eric's eyes widened as he recognized the grating voice of their queen, Sophie-Ann.

With vaguely maksed annoyance, Bill answered. "Yes, I understand. I've run into some slight interference while in Dallas, but I'll get her back to Louisiana within 48 hours and deliver her to you in New Orleans as promised."

A low hiss preceded the Queen's response. Clearly, she noticed his tone. "You better. I do not like to be disappointed. I've given you more than enough time to convince her to come willingly. I'm beginning to think I was wrong to trust you with such a critical task."

"No need to be concerned. She will be delivered within 72 hours." His altered tone gave away the fear he felt at her thinly veiled threat.

The Viking turned to leave as the call ended, knowing that if he knocked now Bill would be aware his secret was compromised and might act rashly. Radiating anger Eric strode toward his room as he considered the idea that Compton was sent to his area by their Queen to abduct Sookie without his knowledge. The anger was not just from the deception, but knowing what this would do to Sookie. Pausing in the middle of the hall, the thought caught him off guard. When had he started caring about the feelings of a human? His reaction to recent events and information certainly gave him much to consider.

On the other side of the wall, Jessica sat shocked at what she'd just learned. They'd never seen eye to eye, but she still couldn't believe her maker could be so cruel. To pretend everything with Sookie just to turn her over to the Queen, it wasn't right. Sitting down at the desk in the room, she jotted a quick note for her friend before dying for the day.

Sookie,

Please be here at sunset. We need to talk before you see Bill.

Jessica