True Colors 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: This is my first attempt at a fanfic, so please take a moment to review. A huge thanks to my new beta, but all mistakes are still my own.

Chapter 9: Righting a Wrong

By eleven, everyone regrouped to begin the spell, having already settled things into their rooms. Despite their differences, the two women became fast friends as they ate, finding they had much in common. Something about them spooked people, even being unaware of what they truly were. Difficulty finding acceptance in the world bonded them.

Amelia grabbed Sookie's hand and gave a slight squeeze, "Don't worry, if you've ever had the flu this isn't too much worse. It'll be worth it in the long run."

"What are we waiting for, let's get this started." Sookie tried to smile reassuringly at the group assembled in her room.

They'd decided to do it in the room Eric had given Sookie. It was light tight in case the vampires needed to be there as the sun rose, but would let her rest undisturbed. The room happened to have the nicest bathroom in the house, a necessity when they expected Sookie to spend most of the night there.

Everyone else remained in the clothes they arrived in, but Sookie had changed into her vampires' clothes, another pair of drawstring pants and a black tank top. They'd brought a couple extra sets in case she needed to change through the night.

Sookie sat at the end of the bed, Godric seated to her right and Amelia on her left, both gripping her hands. Eric loomed behind his maker, his tension almost visible. The older vampire had seen this before. Eric had no such reassurance.

"Are you sure you can do this? That it won't hurt her," the Viking demanded.

"Relax, I've done this before. It will work just fine, unless she turns into a cat," Amelia laughed referring to one of her earlier mistakes. Seeing Sookie's questioning look she continued, "Don't worry, it only happened once. I'll tell you all about it later."

Amelia rose to get the cup she'd left on a table near the door. Passing Pam and Jessica where they stood, slightly out of the way but focused on Sookie, she tried to look calm and confident. Nerves rattled the which, though having done this before she knew it would work. Of course, breaking blood ties for an unimportant vampire before he went mad seemed trivial compared to freeing the potential mate to two of the oldest and most powerful vampires in the world.

Back at the bed, she handed Sookie the cup and watched as the woman sniffed the contents cautiously, wrinkling her nose. "Watch closely as I recite the spell, when I nod you need to drink as quickly as you can. You should start feeling sick in about a half hour."

Nodding in understanding, she looked around at the vampires in the room, "I'm warning you now, once I hit that point I'm not going to want a big audience. Amelia and Jessica can stay, but the rest of you have to leave."

Pam nodded, she was curious to see what would happen, but wasn't attached enough to want to stick around if it got messy. The two men however, looked down right offended.

"Why are we being kicked out," Eric demanded.

"Eric, there are just some things that don't require an audience and this is one of them." Wanting to retain her dignity, throwing up in front of two beings that hadn't had a human illness in a thousand years or more wasn't going to happen.

"Then why do they get to stay?" Eric wasn't backing down, wanting to see that she was okay throughout the process and hating being left out.

"Because one of them is still human and the other was human until very recently, either way they're both going to be more help than someone that hasn't thrown up in this millennium."

Eric opened his mouth to argue but was silence by the shorter vampire's hand on his chest. He looked down at his maker, now standing in front of him. "My childe, we must do as she wishes. If our presence will make this more difficult for her then we will leave when asked."

"Fine," Eric quickly moved to stand in front of Sookie, taking the cup from her hands and giving it to Amelia, he pulled Sookie into his arms. Embracing her tightly he found her lips, kissing her with every bit of passion he could muster. After the initial shock, she returned the kiss until she finally had to break free, gasping for air. Placing one last gentle kiss on her forehead, he set her back on the bed.

"Remember that when this is over," Eric spoke quietly, not releasing her gaze until she nodded. She'd been completely surprised at the sudden display of passion and possession from her, especially in front of the others. Was he really worried that she would walk away when the blood tie was gone?

As Eric stepped back Sookie's attention was capture by Godric kneeling in front of her. Reaching up to cup her face in his hands he spoke quietly, determination edging his voice. "Little one, remember, whatever your choice we will always want you. I will always want you."

"I know," she whispered trying to choke back the tears that threatened at the unexpected gestures of her vampires. She felt Godric's thumb brush a tear away as his lips met hers. His kiss was so different from Eric's, but no less consuming. It didn't have the desperate passion, but she felt the mark of possession and overwhelming desire just the same.

Slowly releasing her he reached for her hand, placing one last kiss across her fingers as he stood and resumed his seat beside her.

"Okay, if we're done with that part of the evening perhaps we can move on to the main event." Amelia handed the cup back to Sookie as she looked at the two vampires. They nodded at her before staring down at the petite blonde on the bed, not needing to speak to know what they each felt. If all went well in the coming days they would right the wrong caused by Bill's trickery and reclaim Sookie as their own. If it went badly they risked losing the one creature they were realizing they loved.

"Let's do it," Sookie straightened her back and looked directly at Amelia. She was going to reclaim her freedom to choose whom she wanted. She just hoped this didn't ruin the happiness she felt over the last day or two.

Amelia began speaking in a language none but Godric recognized. After a few minutes of chanting she nodded to Sookie as she continued repeating the words. Sookie tilted the cup to her lips, drinking the entire contents quickly and trying not to gag at the taste. She felt a cool hand take the empty cup but kept her eyes closed trying to keep the liquid from coming back up. She noticed the chanting had stopped and attempted to open her eyes.

She slammed them shut as she realized the world was spinning. Trying to stand she stumbled and felt one cool and one warm arm catch her on either side.

"Let's get her to the bathroom." She heard Jessica's voice as they began to move.

They barely made it before she became violently ill. Keeping her eyes closed she could feel Jessica's cool hands smoothing her hair and holding her head as Amelia wet a washcloth.

When the initial spasms stopped she looked up, accepting the water Amelia handed her to rinse her mouth.

"Make them go away," she mumbled to Amelia before turning back to be sick again.

Amelia hurried back to the bedroom, "You three need to leave now."

Panic shone in Godric's eyes. "Is she alright? The reaction was much faster than expected."

"I don't know. This is nothing like how the other humans reacted." Her shoulders slumped, worry for her new friend plastered across her face.

Anxiously, Eric queried Godric, "Should we call Dr. Ludwig?" With a nearly imperceptible response, the phone was instantly at his ear.

"You three wait out there until she arrives. I'm going to stay with Sookie and Jessica." Amelia gestured to the door turning back to the bathroom before they could argue.

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Bill lay in bed, still weak but stronger than he had been as Isabelle watched from across the room. When she received the call from Godric that they would be performing the spell soon, she made her way back to Bill's room curious to see what reaction he would have to the tie being broken. They had decided that if he assumed she had died they wouldn't correct him in hopes it might buy them more time before he tried to take her again.

Bill suddenly tried to lunge out of the bed. Unfortunately he wasn't quite strong enough and fell beside it. Looking up at Isabelle he yelled, "What have they done? Those idiots have killed her."

"What do you mean Mr. Compton?" Isabelle strode towards him, smiling as he reflexively leaned away from her.

"She's gone." His eyes filled with disbelief. "I haven't felt her as clearly since she took their blood, but I felt fear then she disappeared. Those sons of bitches killed her just so I couldn't have her," Bill fumed. How was he going to explain to Sophie Ann that not only was he late delivering her telepath, but also she was now completely unavailable?

"Looks like she's no longer your concern, perhaps you should focus on healing so you can go back to New Orleans." Isabelle planted her boot on his chest pressing him to the floor as she spoke. Despite her suggestion, she knew he would head to Shreveport seeking vengeance.

"Yes, perhaps I should." Bill wasn't looking forward to returning to Sophie Ann but knew he would need to get free of Dallas to find support to get revenge. He was smart enough to realize going up against the two much older vampires alone was a suicide attempt.

"I'm glad you think so." Isabelle sneered at him before raising her leg only to slam it against his ribs with a loud crack. She did not intend to let him get to them too soon.

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Still surprised by the conversation, Eric slipped the phone into his pocket. The words, 'it's Sookie' barely left his mouth when the doctor asked where, announcing she would leave immediately without their usual argument.

"She's on her way." He eyed his maker. The concern on the ancient vampire's face scared him; something wasn't right about Sookie's reaction to the spell.

His maker and childe stood quietly against the opposite wall as Eric paced in front of the bedroom door. He needed something to do, or waiting was going to drive him mad. A half hour passed before Pam broke the silence. "The doctor should be here any minute."

Starting to respond, Godric collapsed to his knees as Eric gasped turning to face the door. She was gone. "Sookie," Eric screamed. This was too soon; Godric expected it to take close to four hours for the tie to disappear completely. Something had gone terribly wrong.

The door to the bedroom flung open, "She's still alive, but this isn't good." Amelia heard Eric's scream and rightly guessed they thought Sookie had died. "She lost consciousness. Jessica is getting her cleaned up and will move her to the bed. Will the doctor be here soon?"

Before the vampires could reply, they heard footsteps coming down the hall. Thomas rounded the corner with Dr. Ludwig and a peculiar man none of them recognized immediately behind him. Eric started to approach the doctor, but she waved him out of the way looking straight to Amelia, "Take us to her. You three," she motioned to the vampires, "stay here until told otherwise."

The three nodded as she and the strange man disappeared shutting the door behind them.

"Who was that?" Pam asked looking at the two obviously panicked vampires, hoping to distract them.

"I don't know, he didn't seem human but I couldn't smell him to determine what he is." Eric spoke. "He has to be a supe of some kind though for her to bring him."

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Bloody tears streaming down her face, Jessica laid Sookie's freshly washed body carefully on the bed. She hadn't known exactly what to expect, but Amelia's reactions were enough to tell her that whatever was happening with Sookie was not normal.

Brushing the hair from the woman's face, she looked up as the door opened and Amelia reentered with who she guessed was Dr. Ludwig. Accompanying the doctored entered a man dressed in a finely tailored suit, white hair neatly trimmed, wearing a look of deep concern. Jessica watched him suspiciously, instinctively leaning protectively over Sookie.

Dr. Ludwig spoke, "Dear, it will be okay. Mr. Niall Brigant is here to help. You need to let us take care of her."

Sensing the young vampire's hesitance to let him near the young woman Niall spoke cautiously, "Jessica, you need to let us help her. I promise you, I only want to help my great-granddaughter."

"She doesn't have any family but Jason." The accusation was clear in her voice.

"Jason is her only remaining human family, but my granddaughter is not entirely human. I promise I will explain it all once she is well." Drawing nearer to the young vampire and the still form a startled look crossed his face. "It appears we may have more to discuss as well."

Relaxing her position, Jessica scooted to allow the doctor room to examine her friend.

"Niall, why didn't you warn me before so I could stop them? I knew she was more than human, but I hadn't determined what her other nature was."

"I knew she would survive and it is important that she accept her destiny. She would never fully embrace it with the blood clouding her feelings." Niall stretched out next to Sookie's body pulling the girl close to him. Dr. Ludwig stepped back, pulling Jessica with her until they stood next to Amelia at the foot of the bed.

The young vampire and the witch both jumped back as the figures on the bed started to glow. "What the hell," Amelia exclaimed.

"He is healing her as only one of their kind can. The only alternative would be blood, but then this would all be for naught." Dr. Ludwig patted the two on their backs, reassuring them as the glow began to fade.

Niall slowly released Sookie, her color returned and breathing normal, and slipped off the bed. "She will sleep for several hours, but should wake feeling quite well. Let them come in and see her so they will calm down and listen to what I have to say." He nodded towards the door.

Amelia moved to the door, opening it to three anxious faces she motioned for them to come in. The two males moved so quickly they were on either side of the bed before she could blink. Pam followed more slowly to stand at the foot of the bed.

"She smells like a faerie." Godric looked to Dr. Ludwig and Niall. "What is going on?"

"Now that you've seen she is okay, why don't we retire to another room to continue this conversation? She needs to rest," Niall suggested. This was likely to be a relatively long conversation. He was pleased to see the two vampires kiss her gently on her forehead before slipping off the bed to follow him.

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Concern etched itself on Elizabeth's face as she brought a tray with blood and glasses into the room. The girl behind her carried one with tea and a variety of cookies.

The staff knew something important was going on; although they didn't know the details. The tension radiating from Eric worried them. Word spread quickly about Bobby's reprimand, which confirmed their suspicions that the girl was important to their employer..

Setting the tray carefully on the table in the center of the library she turned to leave. Pausing next to Eric's chair, she placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "Is Ms. Sookie okay?" Most people wouldn't dare touch the vampire in such a manner, but to the housekeeper he was family. Having inherited her position when her mother retired twenty years before she knew he wouldn't hurt her. At over a thousand years old, he looked young enough to be her son and she often treated him as such.

"She lives and they assure us she just needs several hours of rest," Eric attempted a smile for the motherly housekeeper. Just like her mother, the woman reminded him of his own mother.

"I'll make sure Jamie has something ready for her to eat whenever she wakes, and I'll personally see that her room set to rights." She hadn't been inside the door, but judging from the sounds, the bathroom could use a good cleaning and airing.

"Thank you Elizabeth." Eric nodded as the woman made her way out of the door.

Niall cleared his throat, catching everyone's attention. "Amelia, usually I would not permit a human to hear what I am about to say. However, I can sense your loyalty to my great granddaughter and based on your discretion with the blood spell I believe I can trust you. What I am about to explain is a closely guarded secret. If this information gets into the wrong hands it will endanger her."

Looking at each of the individuals gathered he confirmed their willingness to keep the secret. "You must understand, much of what I tell you cannot be revealed to Sookie yet. I will return and explain it to her when the time is right, but for now she must only know what she is and nothing else."

Two hours later, the explanations completed Niall rose. "I must return home. Dr. Ludwig knows how to reach me if needed before my next visit. Claudine should make herself known to Sookie soon, but will have to limit her exposure to you as she is unable to mask her scent as I do."

He stood and walked to Jessica. "When I return to speak to Sookie we will talk more. In the mean time, know that you have many undiscovered gifts. Listen to the north man and his maker, they will help you."

Thanking him, she jumped slightly as he disappeared before their eyes. "Well, that was weird." She sat back in her seat trying to absorb what they'd learned.

The evening had certainly not gone as they expected. The five sat quietly, united by a single goal, protecting Sookie until she accepted her destiny.

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Sookie finally woke in the middle of the afternoon, slowly sitting up and stretching. Expecting to be sore, she was surprised how wonderful she felt. Most of the details of the night before were fuzzy.

Hearing a beep, she looked around the room discovering her new phone plugged in to charge on the nightstand. Rolling her eyes at the ridiculously expensive smart phone from Eric, she laughed. That was the last time she didn't pay close attention when we was on the phone doing her a favor.

Looking at the phone she gasped as it registered 19 missed calls. She'd only been without the phone for about 48 hours so the number of calls surprised her. At most, she'd expected a call or two from Jason and Sam and maybe one from Tara. At least there were only five messages.

Only making it through the first before panic coursed through her, she jumped out of bed running for the bedroom door.

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A/N: Thank you to everyone that continues to read. Reviews and feedback are always appreciated.