((I own nothing but the OCs))

"There weren't always happy endings and children would do well to know that vile things could happen to them, that witches and wolves were desperate to steal them should they be disobedient or foolish or simply unlucky."

― Thomm Quackenbush, Find What You Love and Let It Kill You

"In her dance, she controlled the bright paper birds with invisible wires and threads. She played the human: heavy, tied to earth. Her dances weren't pretty or delightful, but they were magical, [...] They called her a dancer and a puppeteer and an artist. They might have called her a witch, and not the good kind either."

― Katherine Catmull, Summer and Bird

It was about ten minutes later that Godric and I left the club. We walked down a city sidewalk side by side not saying much. I was still lacking any foot wear but it didn't really matter.

"If you want, I could acquire you some shoes," Godric spoke first.

"Nah, I'm good. Actually I'm very use to walking around without any shoes on." I took to trying to make out the stars in the night sky with little success. The city lights fought and won for dominance of the sky. Damn light pollution.

"Again you surprise me. I can not imagine a woman of this century who would feel this way," Godric noted.

"Hmm, maybe... I'm actually not that interesting though... Maybe it's not just me? Maybe It's just witches in general who you'd find interesting? My... well my father believe that whenever possible one should always walk with bare soles against the earth. He said that with no boundaries between the two, one could be closest to the Goddess at all times. So since I was a baby till I was about 12-ish I hardly ever wore shoes. Then again I mostly lived out in the middle of nowhere when I was a kid. Beautiful houses located in the middle of different forests all across the Midwest. I only ever visited a town perhaps once a year? Actually probably less. I can actually recall the first time I ever met someone who wasn't my father. It was a close friend of his- they shared the same beliefs and he wanted help with his new spell..." I swallowed as I realized how much I was reveling to Gordric but I couldn't stop myself. It felt nice to tell someone of this memory. Someone who wasn't interrogating me. Someone that I actually, on at least one level, trusted.

"Usually, whenever my father needed to meet with someone he would leave the house... I never really questioned it. Like, I knew other people existed but I'd never met another human being till I was seven. I had gotten pretty sick. With what I can't remember, but my father couldn't risk leaving me alone. So he had his friend come to the house. I heard a voice I'd never heard before from my bedroom. I crept down the stares and there standing in our circle room was a man in his early twenties... I was- so awed. I ran straight to him despite my fever and hugged him."

I turned and saw Godric observing me with such scrutiny I thought he was either going to rip my head off or kiss me again. When he did neither I continued, and moved a bit closer so are arms brushed against one another as we walked.

"I said, 'I'm so so happy you are here.' I just smiled him and he petted my head and introduced himself as Ralph, a friend of my fathers. The rest of his time in our home I couldn't keep my hands off of him. I held his hand or hugged his leg- I cried when he left, even though he promised he'd see me again. After that my father let more people into our world. Well- I thought it was our world. As a kid it didn't even occur to me that the life I was leading wasn't right. That I was something of a prisoner being held captive in the woods, instead of a princess of the forest like my dad used to tell me..."

I was silent contemplating my words and how much I was reveling. Perhaps I should just shut up? Was I boring Godric- did he care? My insecurities started to rise when Godric spoke.

"You were wrong."

"Huh, wrong? Wrong on what?" I asked looking at him as we walked.

"It is just you that I find interesting, little caster." He let a small grin fly my way.

I laughed at that. I literally bellowed out a laugh. Of all the things he could have said that just melted my fucking charred heart right up. He didn't ask questions, he accepted that there was a lot of stuff from my past and that I broken person. He listened to me and seemed to actually care about what I had to say. Someone over 2,000 years old cared about me and my little melodrama of a life. He was a friend that I wanted to keep.

"Shut up," I said, rolling my eyes and giving him a slight shove that didn't move him in the least.

"Ah, there you go. You are finally speaking like a woman of this century." He grinned again, and I tried to ignore the fact that it still didn't completely reach his eyes. Time was a cruel bitch. And he'd experienced so much of it I tired not to let it get to me that I couldn't make him smile for real.

We were closer downtown near the hotel when my stomach growled so loud- I shit you not- the girl walking next to us turned to look at me. Needless to say I couldn't keep that blush down.

"We shall have you get some sustenance in you," Godric stated grabbing my hand and leading me down a different street.

"N-no I'm fine! I'll find a fast food joint or something... you go on back to the hotel-"

"If you truly think I would abandon a friend who is starving, I am afraid you are mistaken."

I didn't really know what to say to that. I let him lead me, trying unsuccessfully to keep a pout off my face.

"I'm not starving," I muttered.

"I may be old, but I am still allowed to exaggerate, little caster."

"That super vampire hearing of yours is going to get real old, real fast."

"Perhaps you will not have to worry about that for much longer."

The way Godric said that made me a bit shaky. I did my best to bury the feeling so he wouldn't notice it through our bond but I couldn't stop my mind from wandering. That was the second time tonight he gave me the creeps. Creeps as in he didn't feel like he was going to be around much longer. I started to wonder if the danger was over? Did he foresee some disastrous event taking place in the near future that I could not?

Perhaps I should take up future seeing again.

"Here we are." Godric stopped outside of what looked to me like a pretty high end restaurant. You know- the ones where you have to place a reservation weeks in advance just for the hope of getting a table.

"Godric?"

"Yes, Caven?"

"I'm still not wearing any shoes..."

"I know. You would not let me acquire any for you."

"Yeah, well, I'm like ninety-either percent sure they're not going to let me in."

Instead of answering me Godric just gave my hand a squeeze before tugging me along after him. Once we entered the place the coolness of the air conditioning instantly made the tenseness in my shoulders dissipate. I was preparing myself for what would definitely be an awkward situation when Godric was going to have to defend my appearance once we reached the hostess' little podium.

But to my complete surprise, the elegant woman in black took one look at Godric, picked up a menu and ushered us toward a secluded table.

Once we were seated she left and a server took her place. Our waiter was a young man most likely around my age with the most perfected 'service smile' I have ever seen.

"Good evening Mr. Gaul- what might you and your guest be having tonight?" He addressed Godric, not looking at me. I wondered just how many times exactly had Godric dragged in a strange looking girl to a five star restaurant. It must have been enough for them not to question me.

"She will have the special. Nothing for me." Godric didn't even look at the man.

Once he left us I focused on the vampire sitting across from me. Sitting there in the both with his hands clasped in his lap he looked like an average teenage boy. But after a second or two of observation and anyone could see how wrong that impression was. His stillness, his eyes, his complete aura screamed ancient. He had seen so much. Maybe too much if the sadness that still radiated from his eyes said anything.

"What are you thinking, little one?" he called out, breaking my train of concentration and I realized he had been staring at me the whole time I had been staring at him. But I didn't blush this time.

"Would you be apposed to being my friend?"

His eyebrows lifted and again a little crooked grin spread across his face. "I would very much like to be considered your friend, Caven. It would be my honor." He lifted one of his clasped hands to press against where his heart was and the gesture really warmed my insides.

I ignored the butterflies that him saying my actual name sent fluttering my in stomach (and if I were being honest- in my nether regions as well).

I studied him more. The delicate curve of his cheeks made him appear boyish- even if he was a teenager when he was turned. His closely cut brown hair revealed in itself that he did not care to have it as something that would require work to look stylish. His clothes this night were as plain as the ones he wore in The Fellowship's basement. I tried to choose my next words carefully but they tumbled from my lips before I could really consider them.

"Why are you crying, Godric?" I whispered.

For the first time since meeting him, his face twisted in pure confusion. It would have been endearing if not for the seriousness of the situations I had created.

"I am not."

"But you are," I whispered leaning in closer across the table. "I can see them. They might not physically be there but I can see them. The same what I could feel them through our bond in the club. I can't even explain this deep rooted desire I have to comfort you- which is why I attempted that little memories exchange. Did I- did I help you any?"

Even though he didn't need to, Godric took a deep breath and released it with concentration. How the hell does one make breathing look sexy? I swear to the Stars- I'll never know.

"I want to say yes." His lips snapped shut, as if he wasn't use to sharing his personal feelings. His eyes drifted across the room, taking everything in as he formed his next words carefully. "It has not been easy for me to find much joy in this world, young one." He turned his gaze back to me, and really looked at me, his dark eyes bore into mine as if he could see my soul. He reached his hand across the table and lightly rested it on top of mine. "And you are... so very, very young." His face twisted in something... shame? Guilt? Regret? I couldn't tell and our bond was in a mix of things I couldn't hold onto anything long enough to really decipher any of it.

I opened my mouth to perhaps try and change the subject because the intensity of it all was triggering that need in me to run away, but then the server came again carrying the most delicious smelling bowl of pasta and cheese I have ever had the pleasure of inhaling. The tension between us more than faded- it flat out disappeared and I think I drooled a little as the waiter set down my plate with a slight bow and left.

"Oh sweet, Goddess this looks good! It smells ever better!"

I dug into the food at an alarming rate as I shoveled forkful after forkful. "It tastes even better than it smells and looks!" When I looked up at him, Godric's kind little smile had returned to his face.

"So your last name is Gaul?" I asked with my mouthful, some food falling out. He'd already seen me at my worst outside my bedroom last night- I couldn't see a problem in letting him see me with my guard completely down. I was a messy eater.

"In a way. It is a name that would have been most accurate considering where I lived before I was."

"Two thousand years ago?"

He nodded, "Yes." He said. The way he said it told me that was all that would be discussed about his past. I nodded my head and accepted his answer.

I ate in a peaceful silence for a couple minutes. When I was down to my last couple bites Godric deemed it best to try and answer my first question.

"You ask why it is I am crying?"

I stayed staring at my food, but nodded my head to let him know I was listening, "Mhm."

"Even though I do not understand where you get this idea from I will try my best to answer you... Caven, I am... old. I have seen and committed so much wrong in this world- I suppose my spirit has nothing left to do but cry. You say you can see it- feel it even. These tears I do not shed, and I perhaps what I am trying to say is I believe you of their existence. I am sad. Sad for all I have done in my too long of a life. Sad for all I have seen."

He took another deep breath, before finishing his thoughts and I shuddered at what he said.

"I do not believe anyone should live this long."

I wanted to puke all over the fancy table cloth. But I doubt they would appreciate that. Even if Godric seemed to be a regular. I wracked my brain for anything to say to dissuade him from these thoughts. And then I remembered he was a father... he was... a father. My blood started to boil and I don't think he was prepared for how harsh my voice came out.

"But what about your child?"

His brows scrunched together again. "What about Eric?"

I set my fork down beside my plate and looked at my lap. Well, I'd already told him a lot about my childhood- would could a couple more things hurt?

"You wouldn't kill yourself would you? I mean... you have a child. Someone one who loves you, depends on you to tell them how the world is and what to do. Sure Eric isn't a kid and you're not like his biological father- but still!" My voice was starting to rise, but I couldn't stop myself. Just like when I first met Godric in the church the image of him was warping and I was seeing the man who raised me instead of the kind vampire, "You can't just raise someone, fill them with hope, trust, a life! And then just decided you want to check out. And worse, what do you think Eric would do if he found out you killed yourself? He'd see it as an example. A new lesson, he'd probably spend years debating whether or not he should kill himself too."

I hadn't realized that during my speech I was the one who was shedding actual tears. In the silent moment that passed after my freak out I think Godric and I both realized I wasn't talking about him and Eric anymore. Goddess, had I known this mission would reopen so many door I thought I had closed to my childhood I might have tried running from my duties. I didn't have the time or strength to have this conversation. But one glance up into Godric's beautiful brown eyes told me that I had once again intrigued him.

As Godric observed me I tried to wipe my moist face down with the cloth napkin. "Your father killed himself?" he asked. But if we are being honest it wasn't a question. More like a realization.

"Ha!" I laughed with not much humor, "If only. The bastard died by his own design but he made sure someone else was holding the knife," I said standing up. I was pretty positive a guy like Godric wouldn't expect a lady to pay so I left without waiting to see how he settled the bill.

As soon as I was out the door I felt him walking next to me. I refused to meet his eyes.

"Your father had someone-"

"I don't want to talk about my father anymore!" I spat sharply at the poor, broken vampire.

He turned his gaze forward, "I understand."

"But do you?" I questioned, pent up on my anger. "Do you understand how your death like a stone dropped in water would ripple out and touch everyone involved with not only your rescue but everyone you've met in your 2,000 year life? That your final action will hurt people and vampires and anyone who was rooting for you?"

"I am not a person one should root for."

"Well tough shit. I'm not a person people depend on but shit happens- people get pigeon-holed or type-cast and we just gotta roll with the punches." I didn't wait for a reply but instead walked straight for the hotel.

I walked all the way over toward the elevators but stopped when I debated just where I was going to go. Godric had informed me during our walk that my room was being gassed and cleaned to get rid of the bugs and rodents and reptiles. And I hadn't thought to get myself another room. I didn't have a place to go. My hand stalled over the button pad with all the floor numbers. A pale hand moved over me and pressed floor 8.

I looked over to see Godric had kept pace with me and was standing with perfect posture in the middle of the elevator with his hands clasped professionally in front of him. I noticed a small grin on his face at my embarrassment.

"So I take it this is your way of apologizing to me? Letting me spend another day with you?"

"If you wish to take it that way then by all means do. I am simply doing what I think is right."

"Are Eric and Isabel still there?"

"Isabel had to take care of some business for me, so she is out and will most likely not be back till dawn."

"..."

"So Eric, then?"

"Yes. Eric."

And like that I felt our previous moods shift into something much more pleasant. I didn't feel down or sad in Godric's presence. I felt like we were starting to understand one another.

"If you wanted to sleep with Godric again all you had to do was politely ask me to leave."

"We did no such thing! I already told you- we were at a club then he bought me dinner! No sexy time took place whatsoever!" I shouted at Eric again. I knew he was putting me in a frenzy and making me seem like the crazy suspicious one. But I just couldn't keep my cool around the Viking.

All three of us were sitting in the living room area again, Nan Flanagan was playing on the news- talking about the bombings at Godric's house and how once she was able to safely enter Dallas she would be able to sort things out.

Eric had begun his teasing immediately after Godric and I settled in. He didn't even say anything to us for the first five minutes. Just kept staring at me, staring at Godric then repeating till I felt my last sting snap and I barked, "What!?"

"I appears you did not pleasure her enough, Godric. She still seems to be quite tensed up." Eric smirked at the terrible red that surely was my face. I couldn't even sputter a response to that- not that he had said it to me. Godric wore a light expression, obviously taking some joy to my misfortune. But what he said to the egotistical Viking is what made my heart stop.

"You are mistaken in the assumption that we made love, Eric. Had I taken Caven in such ways, she would be more than sedated enough to get through your joking."

...

Did he honestly just say that? He did. I felt like I was going to pass out from how much blood was rushing to my face.

"Godric! Don't join his teasing!" I desperately shouted in a high pitch voice. I tried without much control to keep my body from inflaming. But my heart pounded and I felt a pull in my... well lower sections. It was weird. This bond the two of us had. I couldn't deny my body's obvious attraction to the young looking vampire. But at least my mind had some semblance of control because I was able to slightly lock up my arousal. To my credit it wasn't completely my fault. Godric was the one to promise me a good time in the sack, even if he was just joking for the moment, I had no doubt someone who has been alive for 2,000 years could be able to please immensely in that department.

A couple hours later the sun rose and with the two vampires I went to bed. I was going to have to be up all night when Nan came so I didn't see any harm in changing my sleeping schedule. Eric left to his own room, and when he did I was going to suggest to Godric that I could just sleep on the couch. I mean it was a rather plush, and comfortable couch.

But before I could get a word out he grabbed my hand and lead me to the bedroom. My heart didn't flutter in anticipation or excitement, Actually, I felt drowsy and comfortable. Like he wasn't Godric anymore but myself. There was no one else but us and we were the same.

We laid down and he held my hand.

I didn't dream.

I awoke the next night and again, I was alone. This time however, Godric left a note.

Little Caster,

I have left to gather my thoughts before the meeting. When you awake you may convene to the meeting room.

-G

I don't know why my heart skipped more beats with this note than actually sleeping in the same bed as him did. Maybe it was the affection I felt that went into him writing 'Little Caster' rather than my name. I'd never had a real nick name before.

I got up, stretched, then had myself a nice long shower. Once I stepped out, I realized I hadn't had time to do any laundry lately and that I had no real clean clothes. Normally I wouldn't care too much- I didn't have a real body odor so for normal people I could get away with not having fresh clothes. Vampires though, that was a whole different story. Their heightened sense made cleanliness a necessity.

As I walked out into the bedroom I saw a lovely white dress laid out on the bed. Well now, I thought, that was unexpected. I pulled the dress on and to my surprise it fit me like a glove. It perhaps was more snug than things I was use to wearing but I couldn't deny that it was very flattering.

It had a sweetheart neck line and three quarter length sleeves and ended mid-thigh.

I made my way up stairs and it appeared I was the last to arrive. I muttered an apology and tired to hold my blush down. I sent a smile at Sookie and Bill, a glare at Eric and as I took a seat next to Godric and Isabel, a nervous smile. Originally I was going to sit on Isabel's right, next to the arm rest. But she scooted so I could sit between the two of them.

"Well about fucking time. I guess we can begin now," Nan said. She looked nothing like how she did on the TV. Somehow her features were sharper- like a harpies- and she was definitely paler and her hair slicked back.

"Do you have any idea the PR mess I have to clean up?" she started. I could already tell this was not going to be an easy or enjoyable meeting. "And who has to clean it up? Me. Not you. Me." She glided her eyes over all of us before saying, "I should drain everyone of you bastards."

Well shit, now I remembered why I was scared of vamps before. I shuddered as she spoke.

Eric and Isabel started arguing with the very angry Nan. When she directed her rage at Godric, who had reminded silent during all of this, Eric had just about enough.

"Do not talk to him that way." his threatening voice visible.

"Don't talk to me that way." I don't know how Nan could hold a gaze against Eric, it was probably because of the armed guards she had behind her, but I still wouldn't feel safe getting on the Viking's bad side.

The strange thing was, I too felt the need to defend the 2,000 year old vampire from her insults. Why wasn't he talking? I was getting furious for him.

"Let's get to the point," Nan said breaking off her stare down with Eric. "How did they abduct you?" She asked Godric.

"They would have taken one of us sooner or later. I offered myself."

You could hear a pin drop in the carpeted room. Everyone gathered their thoughts and stared at the poor vampire and I realized my secret fear was true. It was a suicide attempt of sorts. Sure he wasn't going to do it by himself, but it was all his design. Just like... my father. I don't know why but a pit of betrayal started growing in my stomach.

"Why?" Nan said, flabbergasted.

"Why not?" Godric offered with a smile that did not reach his eyes. I could feel my own moisten as I tried to catch his gaze but he was staring at the carpet as if it was the most fascinating piece of art.

"They wanted you to meet the sun, and you were willing?"

"What do you think?" he asked as a reply. Sounding truly interested in what she had to say about that.

"I think you're out of your mind. And then I hear about a traitor?" she asked, her voice raising.

"Irrelevant. Only a rumor. I'll take full responsibility." I didn't miss the way Isabel's head ducked down at this. Knowing Hugo would be safe from the wrath of the Vampire Authority must have been a bittersweet relief.

"You bet your ass you will."

"You cold bitch," Eric spat slowly.

"Listen, this is a national vampire disaster and nobody at the top has any sympathy for any of you. Except perhaps the witch, seeing as she's the only one in this report that did her fucking job. Not that it helped her much," she said giving me a look, before turning to Godric again, "Sheriff you fucked up; you're fired."

"I agree." Godric quickly replied nodding his head with a determined look. "Of course. Isabel should take over, she had no part in my disgrace." He finished looking over me and at her. Still I could not grab his gaze. Why was he avoiding me all of a sudden? And why was he just laying down to all of this?

"Godric, fight back," Isabel urged.

"What are you saying- she's a bureaucrat! You don't have to take shit from her!" Eric added.

"You wanna lose your area, Viking?" She patronized him. I didn't like her using that name for him, she managed to make it sound like an insult.

"You don't have that kind of power."

"Hey, I'm on TV. Try me," She smirked and before I could keep myself composed in this very obviously vampires only affair I added:

"I don't even own a TV. I guess that loses your authority over me..." I might have muttered it, but instantly I knew she heard if her hostile 'I'm going to rip you apart then bathe in your blood' stare was anything to go by.

"You know, I'm going to enjoy our conversation later, witch," she said with a knowing smile and my heart stuttered. What the hell did she mean by that?

"I'm to blame," Isabel said before I could say anything more to Nan.

"Isabel." Godric cut her off from speaking further and shot her a heated look before turning to back Nan. "I remove myself from all positions of authority.

"Works for me," Nan said with a satisfied smile.

Sookie leaned forward, unfortunately taking a page out of my speaking when one shouldn't be speaking book. Bill tried to stop her but she soldiered on.

"Miss Flanagan? Godric rescued Caven and I from a really large rapist. Who probably would have killed us too-"

"That's nice-"

"No listen! And then he rescued humans in that church and vampires. You think it's a PR mess now? It could have been hundreds, millions times worse. You should be thanking him." I had to hand it to her. She had more balls than I did speaking to Nan like that.

"Thank him? For what? For getting kidnapped? For attracting a suicide bomber? For piss poor judgment? I think not." She accused Godric and I had to admit. She was right... this mess started the moment he handed himself over.

Apparently Eric did not see it that way. He stood getting read to do Goddess knows what to Nan. Bill and Isabel stood as well to try and stop him but ultimately it was Godric's words that halted him.

"Eric." He managed to make just his name sound like a command. "It doesn't matter," he breathed out sadly.

"Tell me about the bombing. Every detail."

Godric took a breath and then began his explanation. The whole time I couldn't keep my eyes off of him. Even when Nan interrupted for more input or Eric said some nasty comment. I was grateful he left the part out where he almost killed himself again by saving me. I didn't exactly what people to know just how much of his blood was in me, or mine in him. The more he spoke I could feel through our bond his descent deeper and deeper in a darkness. I couldn't put into words what it was exactly this emotion of utter loss. Utter hopelessness. It felt hollow and consuming at the same time. Before I could help myself I reached out and took his hand. It didn't trip up his speech at all. In fact he acted outwardly as if I hadn't done it. But his grip tightened a bit and I knew he was happy at the contact.

After all was said the only thing Nan could say was, "What a fucking fiasco. I should send you all to the Magister." She rolled her eyes and stood up.

"Godric come to my suite and fill out the forms. Witch, follow us as well. We have matters to discuss."

My eyebrows scrunched up and I was about to question her, but Godric did for me.

"What is the problem with Caven's paper work, Ms. Flanagan?"

She huffed, "Not that it's everyone's in the rooms business, but the ICoW has denied her mission completed! Now if you will come." She made a sweeping motion with her hand for Godric and I to follow her as she stalked out of the room with her bodyguards but I couldn't command my feet to move.

Denied?

They weren't recognizing my mission as complete? But... that means.

"Caven?" My eyes focused and I saw Godric was kneeling before me, he had my hands in his, and my greatest fears tumbled out of my mouth.

"They're going to drain my powers, Godric."

SOOOOOO yeah. This is late. Not that I had a date planned. But I'ma try for weekly updates so hopefully this time next Monday you'll have another chapter!

Thank you to everyone who reviewed you all make my life so wonderful. I appreciate all of you so much, even the guests that just say 'please update' you have no idea how much all those comments motivated me to get this out today instead of putting it off tomorrow.

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