A/N: I know I am! I need me some real story lines for True Blood. I have suffered through the season and I won't give anything away for those of you who haven't seen it but all I could say at the end was….
WHAT THAT F&*!(
Yeah, that sums it up.
Have to say I'm sorry (once again) for being MIA. I've had to have procedures on my wayward knee and let me tell you – mild discomfort – is doctor code for – It's going to hurt like HELL.
Anyway, I've management (finally) to get another chapter out for True Blood – The right way done and out to you (YEAH ME!).
Also – I just found out that I was nominated and accepted to be a part of the True Blood Dream Team (Check out my wordpress account for more information on this).
I have to say that I'm humbled, floored and most importantly, honored to be a part of the team. Thank you for all who nominated me – you are the best.
To my Beta Team and of course the lovely and talented, Sephrenia, you are all the absolute best for hanging in there with me. I love you and thank you for your guidance, support, shoulders and most importantly, your friendship. My life is fuller with having you in it, especially now. I need all the support I can get :).
Now – without further ado, please join me in seeing were we are at with TB – The Right Way.
***0***
Episode 8
Andy's POV
"What the hell was that?" I ask rubbing the side of my head while looking around, trying to figure out what has happened. If I'm truthful with myself, all I know right now is that nothing that has happened in the last few hours would make much sense to normal folk. But then again, the moment I decided to mess around with a faerie, nothing was normal anymore. Okay, so I didn't know she was a faerie but I knew something was off. At the time, I didn't care. From then on, everything and anything in my life would be considered un-normal. Though the last twenty-four or so hours is just the icing on the fucking cake!
Right now, that doesn't change the fact that right now my head hurts and I'm covered in debris that can only be sheet rock. Or what's left of sheet rock plaster and wood, I think. I can't really see much with all the dust that's been kicked up around us.
Hearing something, I lean forward and can just make out two figures moving towards me. Since the other two idiots that were taking me back to my holding cell are out cold on the ground beside me, I'm a little cautious of these folks. Especially considering they are dressed in black on black camo and are carrying some kind of assault rifles. Kind of look similar to a few that Terry kept over the years. They're definitely some kind of military grade. The question is, what military and what do they want.
Before I can say or do anything, I watch them quickly move over the pile of rubble in front of me that seems to be what's left of a wall. I can't help but notice that they are moving like this isn't the first time they've made this kind of trek.
"Sheriff," the one moving the quickest as is the closest to me says as he holds his hand out to me. "You need to come with us."
"I don't need to do nothing, son," I say to him with a little less authority than I would have liked.
"Sir," the other one says moving to the first man's side. "If you want to see your daughter and get the hell away from these people, you need to come with us now."
"Three minutes," I hear someone farther away say. "We need to move now."
"Sir," the first one says again. "We don't have time for this. Let's get you out of here and when we are in the clear you can make your decision if you wish to continue our journey."
I sit there for a few seconds not really sure I know what is going on. Oh hell, I know I don't know what is going on but I do know that staying here is not going to improve my situation.
"90 seconds," the one I can't see says. "Moving now."
"Sir, it's us or a cell," the first one moves closer to me holding his hand out for me to take. "Your choice."
I can hear something behind me but decide not to waste time in checking who or what it is. I hold out my hand and it is taken by this man in black and I'm hoisted out of the rubble, practically lifted over mounds of debris and am out through a hole in the wall that I hadn't noticed before. The sun is low in the sky but still bright enough to know that there will be no Vampires waiting for me. Three other men come out of seemingly nowhere as I'm ushered into a van that is conveniently parked next to the new hole in the wall, literally.
The door slams but not before I see the sign on the building, 'Fangtasia the bar with a bite' it reads. I shake my head. The realization that these fuckers had me held in a Vampire bar is just twisted and sick.
"Clear," I hear one of the men say as we pull away.
The tires squeal and we are off like a shot. Never in all my days have I been in any car or truck that has taken off so fast; never mind an old panel truck. As we swerve to the right and then the left, I can hear some screaming and something that I know sounds like gunshots but we are moving too fast for it to matter.
"Time?" the man next to me asks.
"ETA, three hours," the one in the passenger seat says.
"Son," I say to the one who helped me out of the rubble. "You need to start talking and fast."
"Sheriff," the man says as he turns to look at me. "We are only trying to protect you and your daughter."
"And I'm supposed to believe that, why?" I ask him. "Some assholes show up at my house in the middle of the night and my daughter is hauled away by a fucking Vampire. So unless you have answers that make sense, I suggest you just bring me home so I can find out what the hell is going on for myself. Do you have any fucking idea how dangerous it is for my daughter to be with a Vampire? I'm not going to tell you why but you have to trust me, Adilyn is the last person that can be left with a Vamp."
"Sir," the one in the passenger seat says. "Your home and your town have been compromised. As for the rest of your statement," he turns to look at me but it's hard to see much of anything through his dark glasses. "We are well aware of what your daughter is and the danger she is in. I can only tell you that your daughter is currently not in harm's way. As for after the sun goes down well, she will not be there for any of us to worry about."
"You know what she is?" I ask softly.
He nods to me.
"We have others in route to your daughter. As soon as they have her safe, they will let us know."
"Have her safe?" I ask. "What the hell is going on?" I lean forward but a sharp turn sends me flying back into my seat.
"Sheriff," the driver says in a calm voice. "We are not the bad guys. Our only intentions are to save your daughter from those monsters that were holding you. Once you are both safe and you hear what has to be said, you can make your decisions. For now, I ask you to let us get you to safety. We only have minutes before they start deploying a retrieval team."
"Who are they?" I ask.
"The DE USC and their hatchet men," the guy in the passenger seat says.
"Come again?" I ask.
"The Delegation to the United States Supernatural Creatures," he says again.
"Those science folks looking for a cure for Hep-V?" I ask.
"That is what they are telling the media," says the driver. "But they have been abducting Vampires as well as those similar to your daughter for months now."
"What do you mean, those similar to my daughter? You said you know what she is. How do you know about Adilyn?" I growl.
"Yes we know what she is," the driver says.
"Now how the hell could you possibly know?" I ask.
"She's what the Supe world calls a Halfling. She is half Fae is she not?" he looks in the rear view mirror at me. Or at least I think he's looking at me. Damn sunglasses, can't see their faces or their eyes. My daddy used to say that you can't trust a man when I can't see his eyes. I wonder what he would say about black clothed rifle toting militia.
He seems to be waiting for me to answer. I say nothing. Considering I'm in a moving car and they have weapons, I think it's safe to say keeping my mouth shut is my only option.
He gives me a curt nod before looking back at the road ahead.
"That's okay," he smiles. "You don't have to say anything. Just know that the group we work for has been tirelessly doing what they can in order to make sure that those quacks get their hands on the least amount of Vampires and Halflings as possible," he doesn't look back at me but pauses for a moment as if he's deep in thought about something. "Our benefactor is really doing wonderful things for our world, Sheriff. I hope you agree to allow him to help you and your daughter."
"Help us how?" I ask as the driver takes an exit off the highway and starts moving down an old country road. Suddenly a memory from my childhood surfaces and I seem to know that if we continue along this route, it will take us straight into Texas. Not sure why I know this but it doesn't make it any less true.
"As soon as we are in the clear and I know that your daughter is safe, we will tell you everything you need to know. Until then, please sit back and enjoy the ride."
Before I can ask another question, I hear a phone ringing. The passenger picks it up.
"Yes, Sir?" he asks.
I hear a mumble on the other line.
"Just now," he pauses. "We will be hitting the state line in 20 and then we will proceed to the safe house."
I hear some mumbles again.
"Excellent, Sir. I'll let Kole know," he says and hangs up.
"What?" the driver asks. He seems to be as anxious to hear about the call as I am.
"Barrack says that Claire is making better time than expected. She will be at the residence in about an hour and a half. She will call us then," he says.
Kole, the driver's name is Kole. Okay that's something. Not a lot but it's something.
We seem to be driving forever. Without any windows on the side of the truck, I haven't been able to keep track of where we are going besides looking out the front window. I have to admit that I'm tired since I didn't sleep at all since I was taken from my home. Without much protest, I lean back and allow my eyes to droop slightly. I know I shouldn't go to sleep but between the night I've had and the movement of the car, not to mention the darkness, I feel my whole body willing itself to shut down. Darkness begins to fall and suddenly there is silence.
***0***
Jason's POV
"Sir," the man that helped me onto the plane walks over to me.
"Yeah?" I ask.
He smiles. "We will be landing shortly. Since it is still light out, I'll be escorting you to the residence once we have landed. You will be meeting the Mistress once she rises for the day."
I nod to him without saying anything else.
Looking around, I notice things that you would not normally notice. Or at least, I don't normally notice.
The plane isn't like a normal one. Not that I've ever been on one. Hell, I've not even been outside of Louisiana and Texas. When I went to the compound with the Newlin's a few years back, well that was only my third trip out of Louisianaand we made the trip in their SUV. Just because I've never been on one doesn't doesn't mean that I've never seen what a plane looks like and a normal one doesn't look like the one I got on.
The rows of seats you usually see are replaced with white leather couches. It's the good leather too; not the stuff that I have or even most of Bon Temps would have in their living room. The lights are dim but not so much that I don't notice the blood red carpet and what looks like red velvet something or other on the walls. The champagne I was handed when I got on the plane is the good stuff too. Not some five dollar bottle from Walmart. Even I can taste the difference. I bet if I asked they'd have some of that imported type beer too. This is definitely the way to travel. I just don't know how or why we are traveling like this.
"Um…" I look at the guy.
He smiles at me. "Yes sir?"
"Uh, you can call me Jason," I say to him.
"Of course, Master Jason," he nods. "What can I do for you?"
"Um, well," I begin as I look around again. "Can you tell me whose plane this is?"
"Well, this plane belongs to the Mistress, of course," he says with a bit of a chuckle. "We've been waiting for her to call for us to retrieve her. We thought she was lost to us," his eyes change slightly. "I understand we have you to thank for that."
"I," I look around again. "I don't quite know what you mean, bubba."
"You assisted our Mistress in escaping that terrible place, did you not?" he raises an eyebrow to me.
"Violet, you mean Violet is your Mistress?" I ask him.
"Indeed sir," he nods. "You assisted our Mistress in leaving that place and protected her since. Though, I don't know why she didn't call on us straight away to retrieve her."
"What do you mean retrieve her?" I ask.
"To bring her home, of course," he says. "But that is no matter," he waves his hand. "The staff has been most delighted to have our Mistress back where she belongs. The residence was all a flutter last evening upon her arrival and we have been eager to have you with us since she informed us of her plans."
"Wait, staff?" I put up my hand. "Violet has staff?"
"Well, of course she has a staff," he laughs. "Even someone as old our Mistress couldn't possibly take care of the residences all by herself. Let alone the security and needs of keeping all her affairs in order. I tell you, her assistants have been most anxious to have her where they could have a direct line of communication with her. This business of phone conversations has been most troublesome especially with the time difference."
"Time difference," I look at him. "Where are we exactly going?" I ask.
Violet never told me. She just said that we would be safe.
"Well home, of course," he said before turning. "If you will excuse me?"
Without saying another word, the dude walks away and into a room in the back. Leaning back into the sofa I try to make sense of this all.
"Violet," I say to the empty room. "What do I know about you?"
With no one to answer me another chilling thought enters my mind. What have I gotten myself into?"
***0***
EPOV
I turn to look at the panel of display screens in front of me and growl once more at what I see. I can't believe the fucking dog. Oh wait, of course I can. His father was no better than him. I for one know that several pups born not soon after Alcide have the title of sibling and heir to the Hervouex legacy. Of course, according to pack law, there really isn't anything wrong with having several clusters of pups. Hell, I know that there were many tow-headed strapping young lads and lasses in our village that would grow to resemble me years ago. It was quite common and expected of me to father as many children as I could. In fact, I know that the Northman line is still alive and well. That is not even considering my Vampire line.
Sitting back in my seat, I watch as he moves away from the Wolf Bitch and growl again. Not that the act of his infidelity bothers me other than the fact that it will bother my Sookie. No, it's the fact that we knew nothing about his indiscretion. Not to mention that he's been so bold as to have his pup's breeder on the porch of my Sookie's ancestral home. The former may be excusable when you take in his position and his family's position in the Pack. The latter is just inexcusable; repulsive even.
"She is going to have a cow when she finds this out," I hear from behind me.
I turn to see both Pam and Tara standing there watching the same disgusting display.
I nod. "That is why I'm contemplating not telling her."
"Eric," Tara moves forward. "You have to tell her. She will be madder when she finds out and we both know that she WILL find out."
"Tara," Pam says in a commanding tone. "Eric, will do what he thinks is right."
"Yeah, and that is what everyone thinks to do where Sookie is concerned," Tara says and turns back to me. "Bill thought what was best for her was to lie and deceive her. Hell, so did Sam for that matter. Alcide practically changed everything about what and who Sookie is. Now we find out he was doing this," she points to the screen. "How the hell did we not know about this?"
I shake my head. "I don't know," I say as I stand and move away from the images before me. "I know that he was tracked and his whereabouts during his business day were tracked. I hardly believed that he needed to be trailed while out for runs as it were," looking back at the screens I growl. "Clearly I was mistaken."
"If we weren't so far away, I'd bite his ass!" Tara growls.
"Trust me," Pam drawls. "Contrary to what you are told as a human, not everything that you don't know tastes like chicken. That," she points at the screen, "would make you gag."
"Pam," I chastise. "Now is not the time for jokes."
"No, now is the time for you to have that bastard taken out," Tara says.
I feel a shimmer and the energy in the room changes slightly.
"I agree with the young Vampire," I hear from behind me.
I turn and see someone I've been expecting for some time. Both the Vampires in the room come to stand before me in protective stances. My heart swells with pride at my progeny and hers. My line is truly one of warriors.
"You may stand down," I say to both. "He will not harm me," I say to the girls before turning my attention to the newest visitor. "I expected you before now, Niall."
"Yes, well," he smiles. "It has been a long time."
"Who the hell are you?" Pam asks.
The old Faerie turns to address my childe. "Forgive me," he bows slightly. "I am Niall Brigant, Patriarch to the Stackhouse and Brigant lines, elder of the Fae realm and keeper of covenants."
Pam turns from me and then back to Niall. "Well I'll be fucked with a dirty spoon."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," he smirks and turns to me. "You took her right before I was. Has she said anything?"
I shake my head. "Ludwig took her straight away. Would you like me to call her for you?" I ask.
He shakes his head. "No. I've got in on good authority that she has been given some good, sound advice and is prepared to accept you."
I move closer to the old Faerie. "Do not play with me," I say to him. "You know what is at stake."
"As much as you and for as many reasons," he replies. "Her place is by your side, Viking. You know it as well as I. Now," he smiles. "She does too."
"And what of others?" I ask him.
"What others?" he motions with his hands. "Two wanted to thwart your claim on her. Albeit for two different reasons but still," he shrugs. "One is destroyed, the other entombed in her own hell. Any other threats I have confidence that you will overcome," he pauses, "together."
"What the hell is he talking about?" Pam asks.
Niall looks from me to Pam. "You are aware of Vampire laws and ways?"
She nods.
"No, not the ones of now Pamela," I say. "Niall is referring to the ancient ways."
"What ancients?" she asks.
"The Batran," I say softly.
"What the fuck is a Batran?" Tara asks.
Niall turns to her as if he is just noticing her.
"You are one of my granddaughter's friends are you not?" he asks.
"If you mean Sookie then yeah," Tara shifts her weight into a defiant stance that is reminiscent of her human days. "I'm her fucking best friend."
"Yes, well," Niall turns to me. "You have much to teach that one."
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Tara asks.
"Tara!" Pam growls. "Not now," she turns and looks at Niall. "She is new."
"And so are you compared to many," Niall says and turns his attention back to me. "I trust that now she is here, all will be well?"
I nod. "What are you doing about the ones those bastards have?" I ask him.
He shakes his head. "Without showing our hand as the human's say, there is not much we can do."
"You would leave your kin to die?" I ask.
"No," he smiles. "We are expecting you to fulfill your covenant," he bows to me. "I just wanted to show my support for you and yours. The dog," he motions to the screen, "will be dealt with by me."
I go to protest but he puts his hand up. "The dog defiled my line and as it is my right, his life is forfeit to me," he smirks. "You can have the Vampire."
I nod understanding him.
"Give my granddaughter my love and tell her I'm proud of how her gifts have blossomed. Assure her that all has been done for her position and I will be nearby if she needs me."
With that, the energy moves again and he's gone.
"How did he get past the wards?" Pam asks.
"Who the fuck was that?" Tara asks.
I shake my head. "He's Sookie's blood as I'm sure he's blood of others here," I wave my hand. "Besides," I sigh and go to sit again. "He and I have an understanding."
"What understanding?" Pam asks. "What is he going on about the Batran?"
"Someone better tell me something," Tara growls. "I know every Stackhouse and that fucker isn't one."
"Not now Tara," Pam puts her hands on her hips. "Well?" she asks me.
"You know our ways Pamela. You know the stories and you know who and what the Batran are."
I made sure she knew. In case something happened to me, she would know as well as the rest of our line. The Northman clan would have to prosper and hold its place with me here or not. It is the way.
"It can't be," she turns around the room and then looks back at me. "Why didn't you tell me?"
I shrug. "I wanted to be sure."
"Fuck the spoon, make it a cheese grater," she huffs.
"That would be painful," I say with a smirk.
"Well fuck," she sighs.
What else is there to say?
***0***
Andy's POV
We turn down a side street and I see a house in the distance. As we get closer, I see that it looks like an old farmhouse. Not quite different than the one that Sookie lives in. These houses are a dime a dozen in this part and wouldn't surprise anyone being out here. From what I can tell, we are moving through the center of a small farm. The fields look like they are growing corn, but then again, it could be for show.
"Where are we?" I ask.
"Somewhere safe, Sheriff," the driver says.
We pull up and park as two other vans come into view. They get out first and I can count five black clothed figures heading into the house while the cars are moved. To where, I've no idea. About three minutes later, one of the men comes back onto the small porch, nodding to our van.
"Let's go," the driver says as he opens the door and then goes to slide open my door.
I move out of the van and go to stand next to the driver while the other guy moves around to get into the driver's seat. No doubt to move the vehicle around to where the other ones have been placed.
I look around as we walk up to the porch without saying a word. I'm trying to get my bearings but we made so many left and right turns the best I can come up with is that we are either in Texas or damn close to the border. It's not like there are any road signs or mile markers out this way. Hell, I bet no one knows this place exists. Looking around once more, I get the feeling these people want it that way.
The door opens as we reach it and I stop to take one last look.
"After you, Sheriff," says the one I know as Kole now.
I look at him but all I can see with his hood still up and his glasses on is his mouth. Can't tell much about a man from his mouth. Knowing that there isn't anything else I can do, I walk through the door.
Once inside I stop short when my eyes adjust to the absence of light.
"What the hell are you people doing?" I ask looking around.
"Saving the future," is all Kole says.
***0***
EPOV
Even though I'm sure she had a million questions, Pam has decided to go spend some time with her progeny. I can't blame her. She and Tara had just begun a relationship when all this bullshit began. The fact that they have been away from one another has been wearing on both of their hearts. A benefit and a defect of having multiple generations of Vampires holding your blood, you tend to feel them all; especially during times of great emotional outbursts. Lately, I've had difficulty keeping them all out. They may not feel me, but that means nothing when I can feel them. It has been rather draining.
Once both Pam and Tara left, Willa slipped into the room. She's been seated in the room for some time without saying a word. I can feel her emotions warring with one another as clearly as I have since her arrival. My heart is tender with regards to my youngest one. It is taking everything in me not to go to her and wrap her in an embrace and surround her with the comfort that only a maker can. She was so young in human years when I made her and even younger in Vampire years when I left her with nothing but Tara to assist her. Who really was no older if you think about it. Pam and I should have done more for them. I know that. As her sire I should have done better for her. I should have sent others of our line to be with her. I should have taken her with me. There are a lot of things I should have done but nothing I say or do now will change that.
I want her to come to terms with what she is feeling and come to me but my heart aches for her and with my current condition, the pain is really too much to bear.
"You have been silent for some time, little one," I say as I turn to look at her. "Is there nothing you want to say to me?"
She turns to look at me and I wait, ignoring the stares of the two other creatures sitting at the bay of surveillance cameras that we've been watching since Pam departed. They came in not soon after Niall left and missed all the fun. Though, with fun like that it would not do to have other Vampires present. My line has a covenant but not all have control over their thirst.
"Oh," she looks up at me. "There is a lot I want to say but I don't know where to begin."
"Well," I move closer and sit in the chair beside her, "allow me to begin," I pause as I examine my youngest. "I believe I owe you an apology, young one."
"For what?" she asks.
"For a great many things," I say to her. "The first being for leaving you the way I did. It was wrong of me."
She shrugs. "I know you were in pain, Eric. I could feel what you felt when Nora died. Tara said most Vampires would have met the sun with being in so much pain. But considering we were able to walk in the sun, you were shit out of luck, I guess," she smirks but the smile is forced and doesn't nearly meet her eyes.
"Yes," I smile back at her. "That does sound like something Tara would say. But it doesn't excuse my actions toward you. I am deeply sorry for leaving you when I did. I should have made provisions for you."
"You did," she says quickly. "Tara and I got the blood you sent and we had the club to run. Ginger was a big help. Though the girl has two brain cells left, they are both loyal to you and to Pam. She made sure we were okay."
"Yes, Ginger is loyal as well as the other Vampires we left with you but it doesn't change the fact that I wasn't with you. I am your maker Willa Burrell. I'm the one that should have been responsible for you. If I was unable to care for you as you should have been, I should have arranged for another to see to your wellbeing. I failed you."
"Well," she says. "First off, you don't seem to be able to take care of anyone in your current state," she looks at me with her beautiful dark Vampire eyes. I know she can feel what I feel. I've tried to hide it from all who are blood tied to me but it doesn't seem to be working.
"Secondly, I know you made me out of punishment and revenge. Not for the reasons you made Pam."
"Willa," I begin but she cuts me off.
"Don't get me wrong," she puts her hand up. "I asked you to change me and I know the only reason you agreed was to get back at my father. Truthfully, I didn't care why you did it then and I don't care now. I'm not accusing you of anything. I just want you to know that I know that you feel differently about me than you would have if it was your choice."
"Willa," I take her hand in mine, ignoring the pain shooting through my arm. "I want you to know right now that I am proud to call you mine. You are my childe," I move a stray hair behind her ear. "I chose to make you. Yes I was angry at your father for what he was doing to my kind and I needed to stop him. I was vengeful and wanted him to suffer. But it was secondary to making you. You should never compare yourself to another Vampire, even to your maker. The reasons for me turning Pam are not so different than why I made you, at the core. I saw in you what I saw in her when I decided to make her Vampire. I knew she was going to make a fantastic addition to our line as I knew you would as well. You carry in you, my blood, my desire, my legacy and I'm proud of that. I couldn't have asked more of you in the past months," I pull her closer to me and she moves without hesitation until she is kneeling in front of me.
"You are such a beautiful creature, Willa. You are a marvelous Vampire and I can't wait to see how you grow and mature in the next hundred years."
She smiles up at me as I place my hand on the side of her face.
"I am proud to call you mine."
"Will," she swallows which I know is a habit not a necessity, "would you allow me to call myself a Northman? I no longer wish to hold my father's name."
I smile at her. "I would be proud and honored for you to take my family name."
Leaning toward her, I kiss her forehead.
We sit that way for a moment until I hear a knock at the door.
"Come," I say knowing full well who is on the other side. I could feel and smell her from the lab. My Faerie cannot get away from me so easily now.
The door opens and I turn to see Sookie walk in followed by one of our many guards.
I'm sure she has figured out by now that he is not human but I'm curious to know if she's figured out what he is. It is a discussion for another time, perhaps.
When she sees the two of us she smiles.
Willa moves to stand and holds my hand in hers.
"I'll leave you two alone," she turns to smile at Sookie. "I'm sure that the two of you have a lot to talk about."
"I'll have Marcus show you to your rooms, Willa," I say and nod to the guard that brought my Faerie to me.
As she walks past Sookie, she takes her into a hug.
"I told you, you didn't have anything to worry about," I hear Sookie say.
"Yeah," Willa whispers. "Thank you."
I watch as my youngest walks out and I can only hope that she will allow me to repair the damage I've done between us.
"She was worried," Sookie says as form of an explanation.
I nod. "I know," I say and lean back in my chair. "I've a lot to make up for where she is concerned."
"I don't think you have as much as you think," she says.
I turn and give her a questioning look.
"I think that girl only wants to be loved," Sookie smiles and moves closer to me. "She reminds me a lot of what Jessica was like when she was first turned. She needs someone to take responsibility for her and give her a soft place to land when she falters. She needs a firm hand but most of all, she needs to know that no matter what, she's loved. That is all children need, really," she shrugs.
I smile softly at her. "Perhaps the two of us can give her that?" I say hoping she understands what I'm saying.
"Perhaps we can," she says and hands me the bag of blood she is carrying. "Doctor Ludwig told me to give that to you."
I take it from her and sit in on the table beside me.
"Aren't you going to drink it?" she asks.
"In time," I motion for her to take the seat beside me. "But right now, I know you need to clean up. You must be weary from your journey," I motion to the door to the side of the room. "There is a bathroom in there. I'm sorry there is not a full shower and bath but I must admit that I didn't want you too far away from me now that you are here."
She smiles at me and it lights the room. "Thank you but I can wait."
"No," I say to her. "There are clean clothes in there and you have had a long journey. Knowing you are so close will be enough for the time being."
She sighs. "I do feel a little," she holds up are dress in her hands. "Wrinkled," she laughs. "I guess, I could do with a cat bath," she turns but before she notices, the two at the monitors switch them off without me saying to do so. I smile knowing that they would not want to cause me any further pain. Hurting Sookie would hurt me. For their candor, I am grateful.
She moves over to the door. With one more look to me she smiles.
"You'll be here when I'm done?" she asks.
I nod. "I would wish to be nowhere else."
Nodding, she walks through the door.
I turn to look out the window and wait for my Faerie to return to me. We have a lot to talk about and time is something we have little of. Less than any others I fear realize.
***0***
SPOV
I was expecting Eric to want to drink the blood down. I expected him to want to do, well, whatever we needed to do once I got in the room. The last thing I thought he would want was to have me clean up and take, well I guess a breath.
Slipping off my clothes, I turn to see a bag behind the door with a note taped to it. Smiling, I can tell instantly that it's Eric's handwriting. It's hard to miss handwriting that has been being perfected for over a thousand years. But then again, did he know how to write when he was human? Was that something that Godric taught him? Did they learn later together? I wonder what they used to do when they were alone. Were they alone? I mean, I know that Nora was turned years after Eric. But did Godric have other children? Does Eric for that matter? I've never asked him.
Suddenly, I feel sad, no regretful, guilty, I don't know but I know I feel something in the pit of my stomach. I've never asked Eric about his life or about Godric. Hell, I haven't asked him about a lot of things. How much do I really know about him? Oh sure, I know about how his parents and his younger sister were killed. I know that he wanted Russell dead for over a thousand years. I know that he made Pam and that they have only lived in Louisiana for a short time, comparatively speaking. But other than the fact that Godric made him and Nora was his sister, what else do I know?
Brushing my hand over the letters of my name appearing on the paper I sigh.
"You should be ashamed of yourself, Sookie Stackhouse," I say to myself. "You need to do better."
Taking another deep breath I vow here and now, that is exactly what I intend to do.
Opening the folded note, I smile when I see the elegant script.
My Dearest Sookie,
Words cannot express what it means to me to have you here. Though, if the world was different and I was stronger, I may have found a way to keep my promise to you and stay away. But alas, the world is what it is and I find that my strength is neither what I thought it would be nor what you would expect.
I'm sure your night has been long and your mind is heavy. Forgive me for not wanting you any farther than a room away from me and I intend to lighten your mind as soon as you feel fresh and ready to talk to me.
Know that no matter what your decisions are after our discussion, I will honor them.
Forgive me one last "High-handed" act and permit me the luxury of seeing you in the gown. I picked it because it reminded me of one I've seen on you before. The thought of it always brings wonderful memories to the forefront of my mind.
Thank you for believing in both Pam and I and coming to hear me out.
Yours in this life and beyond,
Eric
Reading it through twice, I sigh. My silly Viking has a lot to learn about me. No, my silly
Viking has a lot to relearn about me. Not even two days ago, I probably would have walked, no stormed out of this bathroom, thrown the dress bag at his feet and demand to be told exactly what is going on. I probably would have thrown a temper tantrum and refused to even listen when he tried to explain himself thinking I knew what he was doing and why he was doing it.
But this isn't two days ago. Has it really only been two days? Goodness me, it feels like a lifetime ago. Maybe in some weird way, it has been a lifetime. A lifetime of living and realizations in a matter of moments is possible, I would suspect.
"You're a fucking Faerie, Sookie," I say to myself. "From what Ludwig told you, a real Faerie now with all that comes with that. Hell, if that is possible anything is possible."
Opening the bag I smile when I see what is inside.
"What a rascal you are Eric Northman," I say with a smile.
Turning to the sink, I take a deep breath and decide to get ready to face my Viking and start moving our life forward, together.
***0***
EPOV
I wait what feels like a lifetime for Sookie to return to me.
I could have waited to have her change, but I could tell from the look on her face that she was indeed ready to get out of those clothes. My Sookie is many things and one of them is concerned with cleanliness. If I was a better, stronger creature, I would have sent her straight away to the rooms I'd prepared for her to rest and freshen up.
But one thing I've learned in the last six months is that I'm not strong. Well, not when it comes to Sookie. She is my bonded in more ways than I ever thought.
Oh, I tried to deny it, but it doesn't mean my heart didn't know. It may not have beaten in the last thousand years, but it doesn't mean that it doesn't feel. All the feelings I've had for others in the past compare little to what I feel for my fiery little Faerie. She is my light, even in this place.
Looking around, I sigh. I pray to Odin and all in the hall of Valhalla that Niall is right and Sookie is truly ready to be by my side. I can't deny it any longer. In order to move forward, I need her.
Hearing the door open, I turn to see the most radiant sight I've seen in six months. Odin, she is more beautiful than the sea and brighter than the sun.
"Sookie," I say softly.
She smiles and moves closer to me.
I reach out my hand and she looks at me questioning me.
"I will endure the pain to feel you, Min Sol (my sun)," I say softly.
She gently places her hand in my.
I close my eyes and take in the feel of her. Her warmth, her energy, her very being radiates at our touch. Opening my eyes, I see a slight glow where we are connected.
Sookie gasps and the light fades but I can see a hint of it just on the connection of our skin.
"Eric, you should drink the blood," she says with urgency in her voice.
"You look beautiful," I say in response.
She looks down at herself and then back at me. "I think you just like me in red."
I laugh. The dress and shoes are a similar shade to the one that she wore in Dallas. Granted, that meeting was not one that I'm eager to remember, but the way my Sookie looked that evening was a light, a glow, a beacon in an otherwise tumultuous time.
"Red does suit you," I say, "but the dress does not make the woman. A woman makes the dress."
She tilts her head to the side. "I've heard something like that before."
"I'm sure you have," I nod to her. "I believe you were the woman they thought of when the penned that saying."
"Now you are making fun of me," she says.
"I'd never do such a thing."
"Eric, you really need to drink that. Doctor Ludwig said you needed to, well," she pauses. "She said you need to drink that to be strong for what we need to do."
I motion to the sofa by the windows. "Come join me first," I say. "There are some things I know you need to ask and I owe you some explanations."
She sits down but before we begin, I turn to the two seated at the bay of computer screens.
"You may leave," I say to them.
One gets up without saying a word. The other turns to look at me.
She says nothing but looks Sookie up and down. I can tell that she is making her feel uncomfortable.
"Celine," I say to get her attention.
She turns to look at me.
"You may leave," I say again.
"Pourquoi elle (Why her)?" Celine points to Sookie.
"Elle est à moi comme il a été écrit (She is mine as it has been written), I reply.
"Psshh," she huffs. "Huit cents ans et maintenant il est venu de passer. Vous croyez vraiment cela (Eight hundred years and now it has come to pass. You really believe this)?"
"Assez! Vous êtes au courant des signes aussi bien que moi et ce qu'ils signifient. Le Batran sera éveillé bientôt et nous serons prêts pour eux (Enough! You are aware of the signs as well as me and what they mean. The Batran will be awake soon and we will be ready for them)."
"Vous mettez beaucoup de jeu dans les fables, frère (You put too much stake in fables, brother)," she says as she gets up and moves toward the door without another word.
I sigh and sit back as I hear the door close.
"Did I come at a bad time?" Sookie asks.
Her face is stoic but her emotions say something else. It is faint but I can still feel her. She is jealous, confused and a bit anxious.
I sigh again. "My sister is more cynical than I," I say to her.
"I…" she looks at the door and back at me. "Nora wasn't the only Vampire Godric made?" she asks.
I shake my head. "Godric made many children. I was his first but certainly not his last. Celine," I look at the door. "Celine is my brother's childe. However, we have been more siblings than anything else for a great many years. My brother made her not soon after becoming a Vampire himself. Godric was furious and insisted on taking her under his wing, as the human's say. Denarius was little more than a rebellious childe at the time. He believed that he could raise her as well as Godric. As punishment for his short-sightedness as well as his disregard for his makers wishes, Denarius was sent away from Celine for fifty years."
"That is a harsh punishment. I mean, he wanted a childe…." Sookie trails off.
"No," I shake my head. "He wanted Celine. She was a pet to another Vampire and Denarius was obsessed with her from the moment he laid eyes on her. After he saw her no one and nothing was going to stop him from making her, his."
"Does that trait run in the family?" Sookie smirks at me.
I smile back at her. "I will never deny that I wanted you, Sookie. But I was much older than Denarius was at the time and I knew what I was doing. Denarius did not."
She nods for me to continue.
"At first, Denarius attempted to go about it the proper way," I say.
"Proper way?" she asks me.
"Yes," I nod. "At first, Denarius approached the much older Vampire and requested to purchase her."
"That was the right way?" she asks.
"At the time, yes. She was a pet, a willing pet, I might add to a very powerful Vampire. One that we call the ancients but I will get to that later. She was his property and Denarius offered to purchase her at a rate that was several times what the usually offered price was for such a creature. Denarius was attempting to show his regard for the girl as well as his status in the Vampire world with such an offer. Unfortunately his request was denied."
"Denarius, in his obsession and blind desire turned Celine without anyone knowing. He thought that once she was turned and he was her maker, nothing would stop him from having his prize."
"Did Celine want to be changed?" she asks.
I shake my head. "No," I sigh. "Celine loved her Vampire and wanted only to be with him. She may have been a pet in our world, but she was the ancient's most prized possession. He would not have parted with her for anything."
I look out the window for a moment before continuing.
"By rights, the ancient could have called for my brother's head. It was only out of respect and reverence for Godric, that he spared the love struck Vampire. He felt that separating him from the one thing he desired was punishment enough. Even if Celine was now in the hands of another, he was satisfied by Godric's punishment. Not to mention a monetary sum that would put some third world countries so far in debt, they'd never recover.
"Did she return to the ancient?" she asks me.
I nod. "Once she was safe and could be trusted to be away from Godric, he allowed Celine to return to her love."
"Why is she here and not with the ancient?" Sookie asks.
I smile. "That is a story and one that I need to tell you, but there are other things we need to take care of now."
She nods. "So, Celine is your Niece?" she asks.
I shrug. "If we were using human familiars then that would be accurate. More importantly, she is of mine and Godric's line. That is all that really matters."
"What happened when Denarius returned to her?" Sookie asks.
I look at her. "It isn't a happy ending or a story I wish to get into right now. Suffice it to say, Celine is neither weak nor meek when it comes to asserting her will. She very much loved the ancient she was attached to and made sure Denarius never forgot it nor what she cost him."
She nods when she realizes that I'll say no more. It is a story for another time and one I don't want to muddy our time with. We have much to discuss and I'm hoping at the end of our discussion we will be united in all the ways two creatures can. But for now, there are other pressing matters that deserve our attention.
"Why didn't you call me sooner, Eric?" she asks softly.
"As I wrote in my note to you, min Sol, I promised to stay out of your life," I shrug. "If memory serves, you wanted a life without Vampires in it."
Though it doesn't seem that her aversion to Supes transferred to Weres but I won't get into that right now. She will learn about the mutt soon enough. Regardless of what Niall will do, Tara was right, Sookie needs to know.
"I would have come to help you," she says even softer. "You know I would."
"I wasn't convinced that you could help, Sookie. I wasn't completely convinced that we had bonded like we had."
"Why?" she asks. "Why didn't you think we bonded? Did you doubt we shared light?"
I nod. "I have heard of such exchanges and what I've heard didn't match what happened between the two of us."
"I don't understand," she says.
I forget how little she understands about who and what she is. Patience, in this case is key.
"What I've heard and what I've been told indicates that when two join as we supposedly did, there is no turning back. It is physically painful to be away from one another. One cannot exist without the other. It is a union stronger than anything in the human world. I dare say it is stronger than a Vampire bond."
"So the fact that I told you I wouldn't choose you after you got your memories back is the reason you didn't think we had made the bond?" she moves a little closer to me.
"Sookie," I sigh. "You went on to take another lover. From everything I've been told, if we had exchanged light, there is no way you could love another."
She looks down at her hands for a moment.
"What if I didn't love him?" she asks.
"What?" I ask.
"What if I didn't love him? Would that make any difference?" she looks up at me.
"What are you saying, Sookie?" I ask her.
"I think," she shakes her head. "No, I know that I didn't love Alcide. I tried," she pauses. "I tried over and over again. I changed my job, my clothes, even my friends to try to be what he wanted me to be but I didn't love him," she stands and moves over to the windows.
"You didn't love him?" I ask again.
She shakes her head without turning around. "It was safe," she says softly. "I didn't give him my whole heart and I didn't want his. If I didn't give him my heart, he couldn't hurt me," she turns to look at me. "I think I've only given my heart to one man, or creature, Vampire, whatever," she waves her hand. "What I'm trying to say, Eric is that you had my heart. It scared the ever loving shit out of me to have someone so close to me. No one, not even Gran loved me so completely like you did. Even when you got your memories back, I saw it in your eyes. When you gave me my house back, I saw it but I was too afraid to act on it. I was too afraid to take what was right in front of me."
She looks down. "I'm sorry. If I had, maybe all of this wouldn't have happened."
I stand and kneel in front of her.
"Do you think that if you had taken me into your heart we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now?" I ask her.
She nods without looking up.
"My beautiful Faerie," I laugh slightly. "You are very powerful and very strong, but no one is that powerful."
She looks up at me. "Everything happens as it should and couldn't have happened any differently."
"How do you know that?" she asks.
"We are still alive," I smile down at her.
"Yeah," she sighs. "But you have been in pain for how long?" she pauses. "If I wasn't so weak and listened to my heart you wouldn't be suffering now."
"If I had called on you months ago, I wouldn't be suffering now," I say to her. "The past is in the past for a reason. We cannot change it any more than we can change the tides. But like the tides, we can learn from it and use what it teaches us to guide us in the future."
"You are being very philosophical," she smiles up at me.
"I've had millennia to ponder such things, Sookie. I am a very smart creature."
"You are, are you?" she asks.
I nod. "Indeed, one would think you would have learned to listen to your elders."
"I intend to," standing, she moves past me and picks up the bag of blood. "Ludwig says you have to drink this before we start our journey," she blushes slightly but doesn't look away from me.
Oh how I've missed that blush.
"I'm sure that's code for what we need to do so you better drink it," she says and holds it out to me.
"Are you sure, Sookie?" I ask her.
She nods. "We have to get you healed. The rest can come later."
"Is that the only reason you are doing this?" I ask her.
She looks up at me as our eyes meet. I've seen something there that I never thought I'd see again, love.
"No," she says softly. "I'm tired of running from my heart and hiding behind false walls. I want to live. I want to live with you, Eric."
"You mean that," I say. It isn't a question.
She smiles softly. "I think I've known where my place is for a long time. At least my heart knew. It just took me some time to get my head out of my ass. You are my life, Eric Northman and I need you to be healed. I've just gotten you back. You can't go anywhere on me."
I take the bag from her and move toward the side board and grab a goblet before opening the bag and pouring it in.
As I lift the cup to my lips I turn to look at her.
"I don't intend to," I say softly as I keep my eyes on her as I drink from it.
I close my eyes and savor the taste of my beautiful girl's blood sliding down my throat. The taste is the same just more. Something has happened to my little Fae and it isn't something I've been expecting.
Opening my eyes, I find her right in front of me.
I'm not sure who moved first but I know that our time together has just begun.
***0***
Celine's POV
I walk with my hand brushing the flowers as I move past them. I smile looking at the garden. It may be a greenhouse and it may be artificially lit but it still is the closest I'll ever be to the beloved garden I once had.
I smile at it. Godric always made sure that I had a garden to walk in. Now Eric has taken up that chore. The similarities between the two Vampires always astounded me. Not in their physical beings but in what made them who they are. If you close your eyes and just feel them, you would think they were one in the same.
Sighing, I walk a little further into the rose area. I know all the flowers by their names. Many of them I've helped develop over my long life. Flowers always make me feel closer to… him.
"I knew I would find you here," I hear behind me.
I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. The connection between us may have been damaged so long ago, but I still know when he physically near.
"Why would you be looking for me Denarius?" I ask without turning around. "Want to have another dueling match," I shoot him a quick look over my shoulder. "Perhaps this time I should take your hand or an eye. Perhaps that would keep you from my sight longer than a fortnight."
"You know that even with both of my eyes plucked out, I'd still be able to find you," he growls. "When will you learn that I'll always find you?"
"When will you learn that I don't wish to be found," I move further into the garden. "Not by you, anyways."
"Who do you wish to be found by, Celine?" he asks. "Godric is no longer. Do you crave the attention of my brother now? Is that who you wish to warm your bed?"
I say nothing.
"Well he can't, can he. My brother," he laughs. "So strong and yet in need of a Faerie to fix him. With all the Fae we have here, he needs her. Why do you think that is so, my dear sweet cherub?" he asks.
"You know why he thinks that he needs her. Why do you ask questions you already know the answers too?" I ask him.
"You really believe that he has shared light with a Fae?" he asks. "You really believe that he needs her to heal?"
I shrug. "We will find out soon enough. She is with him now."
"After everything we have heard about this little tart, you believe that she's just going to give our fearless leader what he needs? You really believe that."
I turn to look at him. "I will not go against Eric. He is the patriarch of this line. He is in charge. He makes the decisions and we follow them. You've always had trouble with following directions."
"I will go along with our Patriarch wanting to find a cure for this human mess. I'm even willing to believe that the Fae are in need of our help and are under the protection of the covenant. But I don't believe the rest and neither should you," he pauses and tilts his head. "Or are you wishing the last part of Eric's beliefs are true. Do you really believe that the Batran are coming back."
I turn my back on him and say nothing.
"You do, don't you?" he asks. "You believe your precious Rurik is coming back to you…"
Before he can finish what he's about to say, I move quick as lightning to my maker. Wrapping my hands around his neck, I lift him off the ground.
"You are not fit to utter his name you gutter wretch. Never forget," I drop him to the floor. "You may have turned me, but you don't own me," I look down on his form as he tries to right himself. "You will never feel my body next to yours and you will never taste my blood again. You were stripped of those rights and I will never rescind the order Godric made upon you."
I turn to make my way to leave when I hear him behind me.
"Just remember, Celine. The ancients chose to remove themselves from this plane. No one forced Rurik to leave you. He did it all on his own."
Without breaking stride or turning to face my wayward maker, I walk out of the greenhouse into the night air. Not willing him to see the blood tears now falling from my eyes.