Author's Note: So here's chapter two of this fascinating saga.

Disclaimer: I don't own True Blood. This is owned by HBO and Charlaine Harris.

Chapter Two

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." -Arab Proverb

Andre Paul

As I met the calculative blue eyes of Eric Northman, I contemplated the convoluted path that led to me betraying my maker. I'd adored Sophie-Anne, and while she was a spendthrift, she was gentle and patient with me as I learned the ropes of being a vampire. Compassion wasn't something I was accustomed to, as my biological father Adrian Paul blamed me for killing my mother Lynette in childbirth. He'd remarried, and subsequently ignored me unless I stepped out of line and corporal punishment was to be administered. My younger half siblings weren't unkind to me, but there was an age gap, as well as my father's disapproval.

The only one who was compassionate to me was my stepmother Winnifred Ross. She was the only child of a well to do merchant from St. Louis, and enabled my father to expand his own business holdings and purchase some slaves (the ambition of every Southern white man). Winnifred did her best to shield me from my father's churlish blows, and ensured I received an excellent education. However, cholera struck in my twentieth year, killing my stepmother, a couple of my siblings, and my father. My first, blurry memory of Sophie-Anne was her gently explaining that she felt pulled to save my life, and if I consented, she could make me powerful beyond my wildest dreams.

Needless to say, I accepted, and began my life as a vampire. Sophie-Anne was an excellent tutor, only occasionally punishing my misdeeds, and I reveled in my new abilities as a vampire. However, things had altered rapidly that my maker, never exactly the wisest of people, had signed he own death warrant, and my only hope of survival was to oppose her, as heartbreaking as that choice was.

"And why exactly have you chosen to oppose your Maker?" Eric inquired, on the surface appearing blasé, but was clearly wary that I was possibly luring them all into a trap.

"I was upset that Sophie-Anne opted to sell V in order to pay off her debts to the IRS, but the final straw occurred when I uncovered that she plans to marry the King of Mississippi, Russell Edgington. As he is two and a half millennia older than my Maker, she would be no more than a puppet to Russell's machinations, and I doubt either of us would survive for long. My only request is that if you must end her, please make it quick."

"We'll do what we can," Godric gently commented, and I belatedly recalled that the Celtic vampire murdered his own Maker, which explained his compassion towards my situation.

Eric acknowledged my explanation with a curt nod, but still wasn't impressed. "What else did you learn?" he asked.

"I'm aware that you are hunting for the vampire responsible for setting werewolves to murder your human family, and I can confirm for you that Russell Edgington is that vampire. I can also surmise that the Vampire Authority will look the other way considering Russell's supplying of V to the werewolf packs in Mississippi and my own Maker's sins," I explained.

Eric's expression rapidly altered from laconic to interested. "Very well then. We'll need to come up with a plan to both extract Sookie's friend Tara and kill Russell."

"I will accompany you since I don't want Tara to suffer," Godric declared. "Besides, you won't stand a chance against Russell without me."

Eric's blue eyes shone with gratitude, and I felt a pang of envy at their strong bond. Even when she was level headed, Sophie-Anne still maintained a certain "distance" between us that resulted in our Maker-child bond being formal.

"I could probably track your friend to wherever their holding her," I offered, not caring about the fate of a human, but wishing to make myself useful while not facing Sophie-Anne.

"Fine," Eric said. "I will have Pamela, Sookie, and Valeria accompany you. Don't take any unnecessary risks. Meanwhile Godric and I will face off against Russell and his pack of weres. I can muster Alcide since his father still owes me a marker, but we require more allies."

"There are some werewolves I can persuade to assist us both out of familial obligation and out of desire to stamp out the werewolves addicted to V," Valeria commented. I observed that while the brunette-haired vampire smelled like our species, there was an odd human taint to her scent.

For the first time since I'd entered Eric's office, the former Viking actually smiled. "Good. We'll continue to have business as usual for tonight, but we'll close early tomorrow evening in order to prepare for the drive to Mississippi."

The black human appeared as though he initially wanted to protest the delay, but clearly thought better of it. We departed Eric's office, and I contemplated whether it would be rude to inquire if I could die for the day here, instead of in my hotel room.

Valeria Longina

After that enlightening conversation, I rapidly phoned Desmond Cataliades, correctly hazarding that he was probably working in spite of the late hour. "How are you doing Miss Longina?" he greeted me politely.

"Fine Desmond," I replied. "How is your work going?"

"I've finished submitting the paperwork to Eric Northman, although the fact you're already present in his Area makes said paperwork redundant. I've also spoken to Claudine, and apparently she only works with Maude, because the fairy queen is holding her boyfriend Trey Dawson hostage."

"Dawson," I said. "That name sounds somewhat familiar and not just because of that melodramatic TV show."

I instinctively sensed that if Desmond were present, he'd probably nod in agreement. "He is apparently another descendant of your former bodyguard Keena."

"Fuck," I swore. I'd sworn on Keena's deathbed that I'd guard and assist any of her descendants in any way I could, but battling a Fairy Queen and her sycophantic followers was above my pay grade. This required my father-in-law Niall's assistance in spite of our estrangement. Hopefully, he'd put his acrimony with vampires aside in order to accomplish this task.

"I've also finished processing the latest version of your will and have sent my niece Diantha to guard your daughter Drusilla," Desmond said.

"Good," I replied. While Drusilla would be pissed about my overprotectiveness, it was an excellent safeguard in case things went south on our mission.

Once I got off the phone with Desmond, I realized that my descendant Sookie was standing in front of me anticipating an opening to speak.

"I was just wondering why you're afraid of Godric?" she queried, bringing up the one topic I was wary of discussing.

"We met briefly a little over a millenia ago," I said. "We aren't enemies, and I'm willing to work with him in order to defeat Sophie-Anne and Russell."

I neglected to mention that said meeting was over the corpse of a human, and Godric initially snarled as he anticipated defending his prey. I'd knelt in submission, finally comprehending that the slaves in our household weren't obedient out of loyalty, but survival. My response disquieted the other vampire, and we stared intently at each for several minutes, before I inched away at a snail lake pace, not turning my back on Godric until he was out of site.

"You have a connection with him," Sookie guessed.

I nodded, not being able to articulate how this disconcerted me, as like Sookie's vampire boyfriend, I detested ceding control to anyone.

"You should speak to him about this," Sookie suggested. "I can sense that it scares you, but it probably frightens him as much as it frightens you."

"I'll think about it," I replied, silently praying to Fortuna that my relative would drop the topic. Thankfully, she complied and began to assist the beach blonde haired human female in cleaning up Fangtasia. The vampires opted to die for the day in one of Eric's safe houses, which left me and Sookie to lock up the bar and drive to Sookie's house, she argued it would be rude to have me stay in a hotel.

Sookie's house was a lovely Colonial farmhouse, but I nevertheless felt like an interloper, as I sat in the guest bedroom, drinking a warm True Blood she politely offered me. While I required miniscule amounts of blood, due both to my age and my half-vampire status, it was better to be safe than sorry. If only the company who created True Blood made it more palatable.

Once the sun had risen a suitable amount, I dialed a familiar number. Allyson Jones was a descendant of my bodyguard Keena, and although she was the polar opposite of Keena in appearance, she shared the same calculative personality. Allyson was the first in her family to go to college and participated in the Civil Rights movement both by marching and assisting low income African-American families in doing their taxes at a heavy discount. Now that her four children were grown with families of their own, she and her husband Kevin focused on their automobile repair business.

"Hi Valeria," she greeted. "Do you need help with something?"

"Yes," I replied. "As loath as I am to request this, but we need your assistance in defeating Russell Edgington's vampire pack."

There was a brief pause on the other end while Allyson mulled over the dire situation. "We'll come and we'll a bring a few of our friends to assist."

"Excellent," I said. "We'll meet in Jackson, Mississippi by tomorrow evening."

That was the other reason for the delay; to give Allyson and her allies ample time to drive to Mississippi since they could hardly board a plane with the arsenal of weapons they carried. I silently prayed to Fortuna and Andraste that me wouldn't fail in our plan.

Eric

I was on pins and needles from the moment I rose for the evening. I'd reluctantly allowed Andre to stay at my safe house for his protection. At one hundred and seven one years old, the red-haired vampire rose slightly earlier than Pamela, but much later than myself and Godric so he couldn't stake us while we slept. If it weren't for his tracking skills and the fact Sophie-Anne released him a few decades back, I wouldn't have permitted him to accompany us.

"There's something we need to do," Godric said in Swedish. "It is only in case Russell attempts to exploit our Maker-child bond, but I must release you."

The fact that Godric opted not release me in spite of my advance age was unusual, but I'd never pushed. In spite of the necessity, I felt several blood tears streak down my cheeks that my connection with my Maker would be irrevocably altered.

"Eric Northman, you have proven yourself to be a worthy vampire," Godric declared. "Thus, I release you."

I embraced my Maker, and allowed myself to grieve for the weakening of our connection, although I sensed Sookie attempting to console me via our blood tie. Fantasia was more tedious than usual in spite of the shortened hours, and I resolved to turn the reigns over to Pamela once this battle with Russell and Sophie-Anne was completed. I'd already requested Desmond Cataliades to run interference with the Vampire Council, promised him overtime pay for his hard work

As we began to clean up after closing the bar, my cell phone rang. "Yes?" I asked curtly, not in the mood for manners.

"I'll be in Bon Temps by tomorrow morning, and I'm bringing Debbie's cousin Tanya Grissom with me since she insisted on helping," Alcide said, businesslike in spite of his rancor about my holding his father's gambling debt over.

"Good since we need all the help me can acquire. This will take care of your father's marker, but I'd suggest you take him to therapy for his addiction." Sookie was definitely rubbing off on me, as I wouldn't have made that suggestion prior to meeting her.

Once I completed my phone conversation, Sookie motioned to speak privately. We ducked into my office, although I sensed that sex was the last thing on my girlfriend's mind.

"I've decided I wish to bond with you," she said. "Also, if I'm dying you have my permission to turn me into a vampire."

"What brought this on?" I inquired.

"Telling Valeria to face her fears inspired me to confront mine, and while I'm loath to give up the sun, it would be worth the sacrifice to stay with you."

"And if I'm not nearby to change you?" I asked.

"Godric or Pam could do it," Sookie replied. "But I'd prefer it to be you."

I nodded and slashed my wrist with my razor-sharp fingernails. Sookie leaned forward and lapped up my blood with her tongue, eliciting a moan from me. Once she'd withdrawn, I bit into her wrist, drinking down the ambrosia that was her blood. The bond sprang to life, and we shared a grin. With luck, we would annihilate our foes and be free to continue on with our lives.