Chapter Six:
"You're quiet, little one." Godric mused from where he stood before the large hotel window.
I tried to look up at him, to speak, but I just couldn't manage it. Since Godric had promised to stay the night, neither of us had spoken. I just sat on the bed, my knees pulled up to my chest as I tried to control the raging emotions inside of me. I felt the lump in my throat rising, the tears welling in my eyes. I didn't want to break down in front of Godric. I didn't want him to think I was some weak little girl. I didn't want to scare him away. I had already hugged him unexpectedly. I didn't want my tears and sobs to push him away. Especially not tonight. I didn't want to be alone. Because I knew if I was alone, I would curl up in the corner and never leave.
"You do not need to hide your emotions, Taylor." I hadn't realized Godric had moved over to the bed until I found him sitting before me, a worried look in his eyes. "You went through quite an ordeal tonight; you have every right to be upset."
"I'm fine." I mumbled, trying to avert his gaze.
But a finger clasped under my chin and lifted my eyes to meet his. I sighed as I bit down on my bottom lip, wishing away the tears that I knew were threatening to spill.
"There's no shame in crying." He slid his hand up, his thumb caressing my cheek. My eyes closed at his cool touch. There was just something about him that calmed me, that soothed me. It wasn't enough for the emotions to vanish, but it did give me hope that maybe as long as Godric was there, I would be alright.
"I'm fine." My voice was soft as my eyes opened. "I just...it's been a long night is all."
"You should sleep." He urged.
"I can't." I shook my head. I knew the moment I closed my eyes I would relive the events tonight, I would see those cruel eyes of my attackers. And I couldn't handle that. It was hard enough not to break down without having to see those faces. "I'm not tired."
"That's a lie." His thumb was still caressing my cheek. "You're exhausted."
"I can't sleep." I tried to look away but he wouldn't allow it. "I'm...I'm scared."
"You're scared of reliving tonight." he sighed. "I'm sorry. It was my fault you were attacked."
"No it wasn't." I frowned. How could he think that? How could he think this was all his fault? "You saved my life, Godric."
"Had you not saved my life, the life of a vampire you didn't even know, you would not have been subjected to this pain." He was the one to break our gaze, his head bowing guiltily. "I'm truly sorry, Taylor, for the pain I've caused you."
"Hey." I reached out and grabbed his chin, jostling his head up much to his surprise. "You did nothing wrong Godric. I saved your life that night because you're a good person and didn't deserve that torture. I don't regret it, not one bit. Because if I hadn't of saved you, we never would have become friends. And I'm so glad that we're friends. You're the only one who doesn't treat me like some freak."
"You're not a freak." He didn't seem to understand why anyone would see me as a freak. "You are a special being, Taylor. You're a chosen one. You've been blessed with the gift of sight."
"See, if I hadn't of saved you, then I would have you to tell me off for thinking down on myself." I couldn't help but smile. "You're the only one in my life who thinks that way, and I wouldn't trade that."
"You were nearly raped and murdered tonight." There was a sadness in his eyes that just broke my heart.
"And that was their decision, Godric. If they were capable of doing it to me, then they are capable of doing it to some other innocent girl that wouldn't have a vampire to sweep in and save the day." My fingers seemed to have a mind of their own as they began caressing his jaw, tracing the long lines. His eyes closed under my touch, and that only urged me on. I found myself drawing closer to Godric as a whole, my body shuffling towards his. We were so close, closer than we had ever been. So close that I could have brushed my lips across his so easily. It was tempting even. It took all the self control in the world to stop myself from doing so.
"I should advise you, that should you not distance yourself, I won't be able to control myself." His voice wavered, sounding strained to my ears.
My cheeks flushed as I realized that I was all but in his lap. I quickly scrambled away from him, letting my long hair fall into my face to hide my embarrassment.
"Sorry." I mumbled.
"Don't be." Godric sighed, his eyes finally opening. "I'm afraid that even I cannot control my urges at times."
I nodded but didn't say a word, too embarrassed to do so. I couldn't believe how lost in thought I had become. What had come over me? I was supposed to be emotional, not horny.
"Perhaps you should sleep, little one." He spoke, breaking our silence.
I shook my head. "I don't want to dream about..."
"I'll lie with you, if you permit it." he offered. "We can ward off the nightmares together."
I looked at him in surprise. He was willing to lie with me, all night, just to ensure I didn't have any nightmares? And he thought he was a monster. No monster would offer to do something like that.
"Really?" I asked hopefully. We had hardly known one another for more than two weeks and I was already willing to sleep in the same bed as him. Dallas certainly had changed me.
"Of course." He nodded. "You deserve a peaceful slumber."
My heart melted. "Okay."
His smile grew and before I could even blink, he was beside me on the bed. I jumped, my heart racing at the sudden move. He chuckled softly as I scooted down on the bed, curling up on my side as Godric pulled the sheets over top of me. He too laid down, though he made sure to stay on top of the sheets. I wasn't sure if that was because he didn't need the warmth, of if he didn't want to be so close and touch me.
"Sleep, little one. You're safe. No one will harm you, not while I'm here." Godric whispered, brushing away the hair that had fallen into my face.
I let out a peaceful sigh as my eyes closed. I shifted closer to him however, my arm sliding over his waist as my head rested on his chest. He stiffened at first, not used to the contact. But after a moment, he relaxed and even drew our hands together, our fingers intertwining.
"Goodnight, Godric." I murmured, feeling sleep beginning to tug at my conscious.
"Sleep well, little seer, sleep well."
Waking up without Godric at my side felt odd. It had only been one night, only a few hours really, and it just felt so natural. The feel of his arms around me, the comfortable chest my head rested on. I had never wanted him to leave. But unfortunately, even I knew that had to occur. He couldn't exactly stay here once it was dawn. There was nothing to stop the sun rays from penetrating the glass window. He wasn't safe here, no matter how much I wished him to stay.
Dragging myself out of bed, I pulled myself over to the bathroom to get ready. I splashed some water on my face, still amazed to look at where the knife wound should have scarred, but was rewarded with smooth skin and not even a hint of the events last night. The redness of my cheek had vanished during the night, and only light bruising appeared on my upper arms, easily able to conceal and forget they didn't exist.
Because that was all I wanted to do. I wanted to forget last night ever happened. I wanted to pretend that I hadn't nearly been raped and murdered. I couldn't think about it, I would only break down. The only reason I had been able to sleep last night soundlessly was because of Godric. He was like my guardian, by my side the entire time to ward off the demons of the night. I was so thankful for him, not sure how I would ever pay him back. I was sure he hadn't exactly signed on for this. He hadn't planned on befriending a human, and then I just pop up out of nowhere. But I couldn't just turn my back on Godric and leave Dallas. I considered him a friend, and a good one at that. Maybe he didn't think the same way, but he hadn't corrected me last night. Though when I thought about it, I realized that the last thing I wanted was for him to only just be a friend.
"Where did that come from?" I muttered to myself as I ran a hand through my long blonde hair, my cheeks blushing.
Being around Godric, it arose so many unexplained feelings inside of me. I had never felt like this before. Maybe it was just a silly little crush, I mean Godric was gorgeous. But the desires, the urges I felt, it made me believe it was more than just a crush. I just didn't understand what. I didn't want to believe I was naive, but to be honest, I partially was. I didn't exactly have a close friend I could talk about this with, or an understanding mother. I was all alone, trying to figure out all these mixed emotions.
As I was making my way out of the bathroom, dressed in nothing special, a thought struck me.
"Oh shit." My eyes grew wide, remembering I had to pay the bill for the hotel today.
And I had no money.
Or a plan.
"Fuck!" I kicked at the bed with a frown on my face.
What was I supposed to do? I was a terrible liar; I couldn't just come up with some extravagant lie. They would be able to see right through me. My lying skills had been proved that night with Godric so long ago. I was terrible at it. So what was I going to do? The hotel would throw me out eventually. I didn't have anywhere to go, or money to keep me all nice and safe in a hotel. I couldn't call home. That would be admitting defeat. I wasn't ready to go home just yet. Yes, I had been nearly raped and murdered last night, but that didn't mean I wanted to leave Dallas. There was still so much I wanted to know, so much I knew Godric could teach me. He had been the only true friend I've ever had, the only one in the world who hadn't made me feel like some freak. I was just plain old me around him, nothing more nothing less. And I liked that. I didn't want to be some talked about freak that everyone looked at oddly. I wanted to be normal, for no one to know who I was or the weird curse I had been born with. No one knew who I was in Dallas; no one knew a damn thing.
"Crap crap crap." I sat on the bed, trying to think of what to do. Maybe I could just slip out of the hotel and not come back until late at night and avoid the entire thing. It didn't sound like a very good plan, but what else was I going to do? I couldn't lie to them. That wasn't going to work. And if I told the truth, I would just be kicked out. So sneaking in and out, that was really my only way out of this, until I found some sort of money anyways.
"Here goes nothing." I mumbled, grabbing my jacket and anything else I would need before heading out of the room.
I was nervous the entire way down to the lobby. I flashed the collar of my coat up, hoping to block my face as I hurried out of the elevator. I felt like I was in some badly made spy movie. And I seemed to be just as horrible at sneaking around as I was at lying as the moment I left the elevator, the girl at the front desk recognized me.
"Good afternoon Ms. Edwards." The girl flashed me a smile. "How are you today?"
I couldn't just keep walking and pretend I didn't hear her, then they would know something was up. Muttering curses to myself, I slowly made my way over, praying I would be able to lie without sounding like a complete lunatic.
But it seemed I didn't even need to attempt to lie.
"You know, the older managers, they don't allow in many vampires." The young girl, who couldn't have been much older than I was, leaned over the counter and winked at me. "But we'll just keep this between you and I."
"Excuse me?" I raised an eyebrow, completely confused.
"The vampire last night. Well this morning. He came down just as I was starting." She explained with a grin. "He was rather cute, I'll admit. Not that I'm into vampires or anything, but he was certainly a looker!"
"Oh, um..." What was I supposed to say?
"But don't worry, I won't let anyone know." She assured. "For a vampire though, he certainly was nice. And polite. Just came over and asked to pay for your room and then left."
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" My mouth dropped open in shock.
"He paid your bill. Indefinitely actually. That includes any charges." She bobbed her head up and down, not noticing the look of pure surprise on my face.
I couldn't say anything. I didn't even know what to say. What did someone say to that? So I just mumbled a goodbye and stumbled outside. Godric had paid for my hotel room. Indefinitely. I couldn't even think straight. Why would he do that?
I sat outside the hotel for what felt like hours. Guests travelled in and out of the swinging hotel doors, but I hardly paid them any attention. My only focus was on the vampire who I found myself furious with. How could Godric just do that? How could he just pay my hotel bill indefinitely? A sane person would simply take the gift and move on, but I was beginning to believe I wasn't sane at all. I couldn't accept this. I was a hard working girl from Ohio. My father had taught me at a young age to always work for what I deserved. I wasn't some spoiled rich kid who was handed everything in life. If Godric thought that was who I was, then he had another thing coming. As much as I wanted to remain in Dallas and not live on the corner in a box, I just couldn't let him do this. This was just too much.
"Good evening, Taylor."
I hadn't even realized the sun had set until I heard his voice. I snapped right out of my trance, jumping to my feet and glaring at Godric as he approached. He had been around for over two thousand years and knew immediately something was wrong as a frown settled on his perfectly sculpted face. No, don't think like that Taylor! You can't let yourself get distracted by those gorgeous blue eyes and the tattoo that was peeking out the top of his shirt. No, remember what he had done.
"Is everything alright?" He asked worriedly. "Little one?"
"How could you Godric." I exclaimed, my voice growing a bit louder than I was originally expecting. But I just couldn't care at that moment.
"I do not understand." He stood before me, a look of confusion flashing in his eyes. "What's wrong, Taylor?"
"What's wrong? What's wrong you ask? Well I'll tell you what's wrong!" I threw my arms up in the air, not caring at all who could be watching us. I had a wild temper, that much I knew. I may be timid and shy, but when I was angry, oh, I was definitely not someone you would want to be around. "What the hell is wrong with you!"
"I'm not sure I comprehend, Taylor. Did something happen? Did I do something wrong?" he tried to make sense of my sudden anger.
"Of course you did something wrong!" My eyes were blazing. "If you think I'm that sort of girl, then you can just turn around and leave right now!"
"Taylor please." Godric gazed around us at the small crowd that had stopped to watch the scene unfold.
I glared at each and every one of them until they were scurrying along.
"Perhaps we should take this inside." He suggested.
"Oh no. Not going to happen. I'm not going to step foot into that hotel!" I crossed my arms stubbornly as I set my glare on him. "How could you Godric?"
He looked so defeated, unsure of why I was furious with him. And that only seemed to make me angrier. I let out a small scream of frustration before poking him in the chest. Yes, I poked a vampire, a two thousand year old vampire. I was sure if this was any other vampire, they would have chewed my head off already. But Godric didn't. He merely stood there, accepting the poking punishment until my finger began to ache and I stopped. By my glare, oh my glare did not waver. I was the queen of glaring!
"I can't believe you!" I seethed. "Why would you do that, Godric?"
"I cannot say I know what you're speaking of." He admitted.
"The hotel!"
"Oh." He began to understand my frustration, realization dawning on his face. "I see."
"You see? That's all you have to say for yourself!" I proceeded to poke him yet again.
"I do not see what I did wrong. You were in need of a place to stay and were without money." He shrugged, seeing nothing wrong with his actions.
"Of course the rich little vampire would think like that." I growled, not happy one bit. I did not take pity presents. I did not take anything that I didn't deserve. And a hotel bill paid indefinitely along with any extra charges, that was something I hadn't earned. Sure I had saved his life, but he had saved mine three times. If anything, I owed him everything, not the other way around. "I don't want your money, Godric. I'm not that kind of girl."
"Which is why I did so discretely."Godric sighed. "I knew you would not accept it if I informed you of my offer."
"You're damn right!" My eyes narrowed. "I don't want your money. I don't want your pity. I can find a way to pay for my own damn bill."
"Today? You had a plan to pay your bill today?" he raised an eyebrow. "I was under the impression that you were in a bind and I simply helped you out of it."
"I didn't want your help, that's just it!"
"You are my friend, Taylor. I could not have you living on the streets when I could instead help you. I've been alive for many centuries; I have no use for the wealth I have gained."
"I don't care." I shook my head. "I didn't want you to do that. That was too much. I can't accept it. I won't. I'll just leave the hotel."
"And where will you go?" He asked, taking a step forward as those calm blue eyes bore down at me. "Where will you go, little one?"
"I don't know." I frowned. "Somewhere. I don't want your pity."
"It's not pity, Taylor." He raised a hand up and cupped my cheek. I flinched, but didn't move away. His hand was cool, and yet so warm at the same time. How was that even possible? No. Bad. Do not get distracted, you're angry remember. "You saved my live..."
"And you saved mine three times already. You don't owe me anything." I went to move away from him but found that I couldn't. I really enjoyed his touch, no matter how wrong I told myself it was.
"But I do. You saved my life without truly knowing me. You risked everything for a vampire. You have given me hope that I lost long ago. For that, I owe you everything." He offered a smile, his thumb caressing my cheek. "I apologize if my actions hurt you. I never intended for you to react in this manner. I merely did what I thought was best."
"I still can't accept it." my voice lowered, my eyes falling to the ground between us, though I only realized now just how close we had become.
"Yes you can. I insist." He clasped my chin, lifting my gaze up to meet his. "I won't apologize for what I did, Taylor. You were in need and I did what I had to. Now you can leave, I will not stop you, but it would mean a great deal to me if you stayed, if only just for a little bit longer."
I stared into those blue eyes and tried to fight my inner conscious. Part of me was furious with Godric and wanted to just say 'fuck you' and leave, never to look back again. But the other part of me, the rational side, just couldn't do that. While I didn't approve of what Godric had done, I did understand it. He was only trying to help a friend, and I did appreciate it. I didn't want to sound like some ungrateful brat. I did appreciate that he was willing to pay for my hotel to ensure that I stayed. I had hoped that my being here wasn't annoying him, that my tendencies to hug him or break down hadn't scared him off. And it seemed like that wasn't the case at all. He wanted me to say, he had said that himself. That alone made my decision for me in an instant.
"Fine. But I'm not happy about this." I wagged my finger at him, though I couldn't help the smile that graced my lips.
A smile of his own crossed Godric's face and that only caused my smile to grow. It made me weak in the knees every time he smiled like that. He looked like the teenager he appeared when he smiled. It was nice.
"Are you still angry with me?" he wondered, a twinkle in his eyes.
"Just a little bit." I tilted my head to the side. "But not enough to stomp away."
"I'm glad. I was hoping you would accompany me somewhere tonight, I don't wish to be alone."
My face brightened immediately, my heart skipping a beat. He didn't want to be alone. He wanted to be with me. I didn't know why I was acting like a thirteen year old girl, but I certainly was.
"What did you have in mind?" I asked curiously.
"There is a...party of sorts at my nest that my lieutenants put together. As Sheriff, it is my duty to attend." I could tell the hesitance in his voice. He didn't like parties, at least not while on duty.
"You act like such a teenager at times." I couldn't help but chuckle. "It's like your parents are throwing you a party with all of their friends and you couldn't care less."
"Yes, I suppose so." He nodded, his smile growing. "It will be dreadful of course, but..."
"I'd love to go." I nodded wildly. It was a party full of vampires, and yet I was thrilled to go. Yes, I had most definitely lost my sanity somewhere along the way.
"Perfect." He was grinning now. "Having you there, it will make the evening much better."
"Great." I could have stood there with him all night and I would have been happy. But then a thought flashed in my mind. "Shit, what am I going to wear?"
"Hm?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Clothes, Godric, what am I going to wear. Keep up now." I waved my hand in the air before twisting around and hurrying towards the swinging doors. When I realized Godric wasn't following me, I rolled my eyes, turning around and raced back over to him. "Come on, Godric, move it."
There was a look of amusement on his face as I grasped his hand and tugged him into the hotel lobby and to the elevators. The moment we entered my room, I was tearing the closet apart looking for appropriate attire to wear to a vampire party. I couldn't just wear jeans and a t-shirt; they weren't exactly those type of people. And I hadn't exactly brought my entire wardrobe to Dallas. Even if I had, I owned two dresses: one for prom that I detested, and another for my cousin's wedding that my mother forced me to wear.
"Whatever you decide to wear will be perfect, Taylor. You look beautiful in just about everything." he assured from where he sat on the bed.
"Now is not the time to be the sweet vampire, Godric. I need help here!" I tossed clothes around before realizing what he had just said. "Did you just say I was beautiful?"
I ducked my head out of the closet, my face flushing as I stared him straight in the eye. He didn't seem put off by the question, a genuine smile on his face.
"You are a stunning human." He nodded. "And you will look absolutely perfect in whatever you decide to wear."
My heart melted. It melted and turned into a pile of goo at my feet. I wasn't sure what to say, and instead, went back to the task at hand. Because if I didn't, I was sure I would find myself leaping at the vampire, kissing him like I had been wanting to kiss him since the day we met face to face. Oh those lips just looked so...
Focus, Taylor, focus.
Vampire party, nothing to wear. What was a girl supposed to do?"
"Oh this is hopeless!" I threw my arms up, moaning as I looked around the room at all of my clothes. "I have nothing to wear, Godric!"
"You have plenty of clothes." He eyed the mess I had made.
"Clothes yes, something to impress all of your vampire friends, that I don't have." I groaned. "Maybe I shouldn't go. You're the sheriff. You can't bring some farm girl hick to your home!"
"Nonsense." He shook his head, standing up and approaching my defeated form. He laid his hands on my shoulders, offering me a kind smile. "I think I may have a solution."
"And what's that?" I looked at him hesitantly.
"You mustn't become angry."
"Godric, what is it?"
"You can't buy me a dress, Godric!" I exclaimed from inside the changing room of a lavish clothing store Godric had just about dragged me into an hour ago. "You really can't do this."
"I can. Hurry up, little seer, we must be leaving soon." He spoke calmly from the other side of the door.
"I'm not coming out." I shook my head stubbornly.
"And why not?" he sighed.
"Well for one, I look hideous. And secondly, I can't let you do this. You paid for my hotel indefinitely. You can't do this too."
"I have gained quite a wealth over my many years, Taylor. Money means nothing to me."
"That's just the thing Godric. It means nothing to you, but everything to me. I worked my ass off for years while in high school just so I could help pay for college. I've worked on my family's farm since I could walk. Money...it's not just something I throw around." I told him honestly. "I can't accept this, Godric."
"Think of it as a gift."
"I still can't accept."
"What if I told you I would be gravely disappointed if you did not come with me tonight." he was playing the guilt card. The two thousand year old vampire was playing the guilt card. I've now seen everything. "These parties...they're full of arrogant vampires who I would love nothing more than to just pretend I've never met before. But as Sheriff, it's my duty to acknowledge them. I would be forever grateful if you had the heart to join me tonight."
"Your world sounds a lot like high school." I admitted before sighing. "Fine. But the hotel and this dress, that's it. No more hand outs, alright?"
"I can accept that. Now will you come out?"
"I still look hideous." I stared at myself in the mirror and shuddered.
"Will you allow me to make that judgement?" he urged. "I'm sure you look nothing but perfect.
I groaned but left the confines of the dressing room anyways. I shyly stepped out, unable to meet is gaze as I stood before him. The dark purple dress wasn't horrible I suppose. It fell to just above my knee, a respectable length I was comfortable with, and the neckline didn't show off too much cleavage. And alright, the ribbing around my waist did accentuate my figure, but I was a tom boy and have been my whole life, I wasn't used to seeing myself in a dress, and certainly not one this nice.
"You look exquisite, little one." His spoke softly, his eyes roaming over my body.
I blushed but turned slightly. The bodice was tight, but from the waist down, the skirt of the dress flowed freely as I turned. It was beautiful, I would admit that. I just wasn't used to it at all. I didn't see myself as some prom queen. I was short, with uncontrollable hair, eyes that I was sure were just a bit too close together, and a nose with a bump in the curve. I was anything but perfect.
"You are the most beautiful human I've ever laid my eyes upon, little seer." He was in front of me in a flash, a bit too close for comfort.
"I'm not." I shook my head, my cheeks on fire.
"You are." He lifted my chin, our eyes meeting. "Will you accept my compliment, or will we need to argue about that also?"
My lips twisted upward on their own accord. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome, Taylor." He dipped his face down, his lips brushing across my cheek. It was so fast that I wasn't even sure if it had occurred at all. But the cool burning on my cheek was unmistaken. Now if only those lips were to touch mine...
A/N: it's been awhile, and I apologize for that. I've written the start of this chapter about a thousand and one times, only to delete every single version until finally, I wrote this chapter backwards and actually got somewhere. I'm going to be focusing on this fic for awhile, so I'm sure that will please you all. If any of you are readers of the Nothing Is Real fic featuring Ellie/Eric/Godric, that fic is going to be put on hold for a little while. There's been a death in the family and I'm finding writing an overly emotional chapter or two is just too difficult right now. It won't be too long before it's updated, but for now, I putting all my energy into this fic...because who doesn't love reading about Godric?