Chapter Eleven: Antagonizing Vampires

When I awoke I was buried in pillows and in blankets, and my pyjama pants were twisted serving to be quite uncomfortable. I shoved a pillow off of my head and heard its soft thud on the floor and then I sat up, my eyes half closed and I yawned. I wasn't quite sure if it was night or day, the only light sources came from a few familiar black lamps. Deep blue velvet and silk made contact with the bared skin of my legs and my arms and my hand smoothed itself over the cool softness of one of the pillows that was hugged to my chest. I felt like a cat, just waking up from a nap and had the weird urge to stretch obnoxiously, but I refrained and instead I looked around the room, and my eyes fell on a body that was perched on the edge of the bed.

"You're awake."

I smiled softly, shaking my mane of hair away from my face, succeeding in messing it up further, "Godric."

He returned the smile and his hand reached out to touch my cheek and I leaned into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed, "are you feeling alright?"

"Better than alright," I sighed deeply before opening my eyes slowly, "I drank your blood, did I not?"

"You did."

I nibbled at my lip and leaned forward quickly to place a soft kiss upon his cheek, I lingered for a moment before pulling back, "thank you."

I suppose he couldn't contain himself any longer before he burst out, "What were you thinking?"

I blinked slowly, slightly confused and I guess he could read me better most because he continued, explaining further, "Going out at night, alone. Something could have happened, and it did. You got hurt last night; you almost lost your life because you decided to go out on your own with no protection."

I looked down at my lap, "I was under the impression that everything was going to be alright."

"You were lying in a heap on the ground with a head injury, a broken leg and spinal injuries. You were bleeding heavily out of multiple cuts and that Vampire was going to drain you dry of what he could. Everything was not going to be alright."

I was vaguely surprised at his anger, but I spoke in a calm voice nonetheless, "The moon was out."

"I don't understand."

I smiled with light humour, like letting an inexperienced child in on the secret to the perfect mud pie, "As a child, I was under the impression that the World would never be perfect. I was a problem child because I spoke to an invisible friend who I thought was an Angel sent to protect me by the powerful one in the heavens. I had many issues: bullying, physiotherapists, appointments, and times of great wisdom popping out of my mouth where I would use words that I could barely pronounce. I was labelled the Freak, the weirdo, the "outcast", I hardly had any friends and the only one who seemed to like me was my Angel, she understood what I was going through."

I paused, studying the lines on my hand before continuing, "But sometimes, Eurithe wasn't enough, I needed reassurance, I needed something or someone to hold on to, something that would determine that the World was still the same old one I had been born into, I needed a constant in my life, something regular because I was always switching schools, doctors, and medication. So one night I was sitting out on the Garage and I remember that special night like it was yesterday because it was the Harvest moon, and it shone so bright in the sky, bigger than anything I had seen in a while. At that second I realized that it had always been there, every night it hung there, unchanging and I came to terms that this was what I needed, the Moon was going to be what I would hold on to, and from then on it became my reassurance."

I looked up at him to see him watching me, "You see when I saw the Moon the night I went out to the woods, I knew that what ever was going to happen, good or bad, everything would be alright in the end, the Moon has never lied to me."

He moved closer to me so our knees were touching, "And that night was no different, everything turned out well in the end, and you want to know why?"

I looked him in the eyes as I asked him, he did not answer but his eyes clearly spoke to me, "Because you came to me. You saved my life."

His hand found mine and his fingers laced between my own, "All I wanted was to see you again, and while I was being tossed around like a…ragdoll, I begged to see you again, I knew you would make it better and I hated myself for acting like I did the last time I had seen you, I hoped that we wouldn't end like that. That whole time…all I wanted was you, all I wanted was to be with you and to be safe-."

Suddenly I was in his arms, my head tucked under his chin, "I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere. I'll never leave you again."

Immediately I felt tied to him, I felt as if this was the one place that was right for me, I was supposed to be here, in his arms and being clung to like I was a child's plush bear. The hand that tucked my head to his chest now ran down the length of my hair, combing it, the other smoothed up and down my arm as I leaned heavily against his chest, breathing him in and allowing every sense to be taken over by him.

This feeling of complete safety and relaxation was interrupted when a knock came at the door and Godric's voice rung out, "Come in."

Isabel was the one to enter, and she was alone.

"How do you feel?" She asked me, a kind smile gracing her lips, her eyes crinkled in the corners.

"Great, thank you. How are you?"

"More at ease now that you have awoken."

I smiled at her and Godric spoke again, "Is something wrong, Isabel?"

She visibly straightened and her voice became respectful, "There is a young man down stairs by Registration, he does not appear to be in healthy condition."

Godric began to stand, unfolding his arms from around me when Isabel spoke again, "It is the same boy who Eurithe succeeded in persuading to leave in peace, but he has asked for Shae this time, he seemed urgent that he speak with her, and he did ask nicely."

I stood quickly, separating myself from his arms and I immediately felt the cold hit me anditshocked me as I was used to the warmth that I had created in the bed, and I visibly shivered, "Luke?"

Isabel nodded and I swiftly slipped out of the room, not even pausing to see if they would follow, I already knew that they would.

I surprised myself at how fast I was downstairs and I jogged into the hall where Registration was in my bare feet, the Blonde I had spoken to when I had first arrived sat behind the desk, the phone pressed to her ear. Further down I saw a tall figure, slumped over the desk, his weight was less on one leg and his shirt hung in ripped strands.

As I took in the figure, I heard Godric and Isabel come up behind me, "Luke?"

His large head turned to me and I saw his face for the first time.

I gasped, "Luke? What happened to you?"

His face was multi coloured, one of his eyes swollen shut, the other only partially, his lip was split in three spots and a tender looking bruise coloured the area around his nose. I rushed over to him as he tried to turn on his one good leg and I tried to catch him as best as I could as he slumped over me and wetness seeped into my shirt.

"Luke? Who did this to you?"

No answer came from him, only sobbing and I felt his arms around me, clutching my body to his like I was the last thing he had. My hand brushed over his hair and I held him, "Luke?"

This time he did look at me, wetness seeped out of the slits of his eyes and my heart tore for him, he choked for a moment before spitting something out, "The Fellowship."

I led his broken body over to some couches and sat him down before perching myself on the edge of one in front of him, "Why did they do this?"

"I came back," he said simply, but it sounded as if these words were a great struggle, "I wasn't supposed to come back."

I nodded, that was clearly obvious cause if he hadn't of gone back, that would mean he had succeeded.

"They called me weak, and useless. Said that I couldn't obey simple orders. They said that I was an embarrassment to God, and that his Holy light was too good for me."

I placed my hand in his and he held it tightly, "go on," I urged.

"The Newlins had Gabe beat me as they tossed insults at me, and as this was happening, I realized that she was right."

"Who?" I asked, trying to squeeze back as hard as he was.

"Eurithe, she was right. It isn't worth it, they're wrong to think like they do, all they tell us is lies…they brainwash us into thinking like them."

I didn't say anything, I just let him get it all out and then he spoke again, "I don't want to think like they do anymore, Shae. Their views are inhumane, and their desires will never be satisfied."

He let go of my hand and his head hung between his knees. I looked up at Godric and he was watching Luke with an unreadable expression and then he turned to me and gave an inclination of his head, "Isabel, please reach an agreement with Estelle for a single room for the young man, he is not fit to leave for the night."

I smiled widely at him and he held out an arm for me to come to him, I moved to do so and he looked down at me, "Thank you," I said and he shook his head.

"I do not think this will be permanent at this moment, we will see how this escalades, but even I cannot permit him to leave in the state that he is in, that would be inhumane," he paused for a second and then spoke again, "I will have someone tend to him."

I leaned up and placed a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth in which he moved so they landed on his, he held my head there for a second before we parted and I spoke in a whisper, "Shall I leave you to this then?"

He nodded before speaking, "For now, but I hope you come back when I retire for the day, I am sure I will have missed you by then."

I smiled and placed my lips on his for another peck, "wish granted." That was when I disappeared down the hall.

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After leaving Godric to his business I headed back up to my room to relax. At least, that's what I had in mind, but when I stepped inside Sookie and Bill sat on one of the smaller couches and Eric was splayed across the longer couch like he owned it. His muscles rippled as he turned his head to look at me, the black tank top he wore rose up about an inch, revealing a slice of sculpted stomach. A strand of hair fell across his forehead and he looked up through his lashes at me.

I feigned surprise as my eyebrows rose, "to what do we owe this pleasure?"

"You're the one who decided to grace us with your presence," he drawled slowly, his lips curving into a smirk.

I rolled my eyes and walked past him, Sookie stood quickly and blocked my path, searching my face, "You're okay, nothing looks out of place, no cuts or bruising…you aren't walking funny, you're not sore are you? Cause if you are a hot bath works wonders, are you hungry? I could run downstairs to get you something…"

I started laughing at my friend, "Sookie, I'm fine, don't worry about me."

"'Cause of Godric…" Eric muttered and I looked over at him.

Smiling, I agreed whole heartedly, "yes, because of Godric I'm fine."

She peered at me, "You drank his blood?"

I walked around her to the vacant couch and picked up the blanket that was thrown across it, I began to fold it as I answered, "I did."

When she did not reply I looked up, throwing the folded fabric across the back of the couch, she was looking at me, her eyebrow raised and an amused look crossed her face.

"What?"

"Oh nothing."

"You've got that look my Sister gets." I growled.

"You are so naïve."

I crossed my arms on my chest and tapped my foot, "and what's that supposed to mean?"

"Your sister and I have something in common."

I waited for her to continue, giving her a pointed look to get on with it.

"We marvel over your Love life…or lack thereof."

"You didn't date until you met Bill, so you can't talk!"

She grinned at me, "but I am not as blind as you are."

I huffed, "This is not fair, you've got Eurithe laughing at me too!"

Sookie giggled, her hand covering her mouth as she bent over at the waist.

You know she's right…no one is really that blind when it comes to boys, except you…

"Eurithe! You're supposed to be on my side!" I cried out in exasperation.

I am Little one, but that does not mean I cannot enjoy your innocence.

I grumbled something incoherent when Eric spoke up, "So…where was your little Angel friend last night?"

"She was there."

He raised his eyebrows at me, "so why didn't she do something to help you?"

"Like what?"

"Hurt him, kill him maybe."

I growled, bringing myself up to full height…but that wasn't really much, "Eric Northman, she does not believe in murder, she helped me just as fast by getting Clara as she would have if she had brought Lucas to his knees."

"That…or she just isn't strong enough," he said impassively.

Not strong enough? How dare he…

I paused for a moment, shaking the ripple of anger that passed through my body, "she is quite strong, Eric. If she absolutely wanted to, she could make you burn from the inside out without even touching you."

He gave me an impressed look, "oh really?"

"Yes," I stated, "and sometimes when you're this insufferable, I wish she would." My words were an attempt at being menacing but only laughed at me, a loud mocking laugh.

"Don't bother with threats, they don't suit you. You love me, and you know it…your threats are only empty."

Mine aren't…

I giggled, "Eurithe's threats are promises."

He laughed again, "Coming from the challenged Angel with Wingspan problems…or are they just naturally short? Has she even hit puberty yet?"

How dare he relate my wings to petty teenage puberty?

I bit my lip to keep from laughing, "Eric…I think it's in your best interest to stop antagonizing her…she is coming to her last nerve."

How do you put up with him? He is conceited, loud and spoiled like a little prince. If I were you…

I couldn't help but snort at this, an Angel giving me tips on how to deal with insufferable Vampires…I would think she could try a little harder to be nice to him.

"What is she going to do? Smite me, spray me with Holy water…choke me with her Halo?"

Put your hand on his shoulder.

"Why?"

Please, just do it…

I sighed and walked over to him, my hand on his shoulder and I began to speak, "Eric, you are-," but I was interrupted when he yelped in pain and my hand shot back, he had sat up abruptly and the two of us were staring at each other.

Serves him right…

I laughed hard at his face, "Eric, emotion does good to you, you should use it more often."

That's when I disappeared into the bathroom, Bill and Sookie chuckling at Eric's discomfort behind me.

Author's Note: Hey everyone!

Sorry for the slight delay for this chapter, I was slightly busy over this weekend, but I figured I should get this up tonight because it is the night before school, and this Chapter is a dedication to the farewell of summer. I hope you enjoy and from now on I hope you guys are slightly more patient cause there might be longer spaces between updates.

Thanks for reading

LoveIsAlways.