"So, let me get this straight," Jason was saying over a late breakfast (which Sookie and I prepared) the next day, "you were in the land of the faeries? And you're part faerie—so is my sister?"

"In a very Cliff Notes' version, yes," I nodded. Sookie simply nodded, scooping a pile of eggs into her mouth. "On a technicality, I think that means that you're part faerie, too."

"I ain't no fucking faerie."

"I don't mean drag queen faerie, jock boy. I meant flitting to and fro with wings and glitter," I smirked.

"Wait, you do that?"

"On occasion. It's so nice to dress like our people, isn't it, Sookie?"

"Of course," she grinned, understanding my joke. "You should join us sometime, Jason."

"We wear tutus."

He stared at us for a few seconds, trying to figure out if we were being serious or not. Finally, a slow grin stretched over his face. He, too, had gotten the joke. "You almost had me going there for a minute," he admitted, "but Sook would never wear a tutu."

"And I would?"

"Well, I don't know exactly what you and Godric are into—"

"Oh hell no, I don't wear tutus for anyone," I shook my head firmly. "Godric, however—"

"Alright, I don't wanna hear any more. Jesus, you kids these days." I raised my eyebrows at him. I was certainly younger than he was—I'm younger than Sookie, too. But Godric was over two thousand years old. He outranked all of us easily. Even if he does look like he's still a minor. Vaguely, I wondered if that made me a pedophile. Or if those laws even existed for vampires. Technically, though, he had been turned at sixteen—so age of consent in most areas of the country. Are there even vampire children?

"Are you okay, Aline?" Sookie asked, interrupting my train of thought.

"Oh, yeah. I was just wondering if there were vampire children. Like, kids that were turned into vampires. And if there was a Megan's Law for them or not."

"That," she paused, "you know, actually I'm not sure. That would get kind of sticky. Vampires are usually a lot older than they appear."

"Godric was turned at sixteen," I nodded. I giggled at the fact. "Usually I like guys that are older." My eyes flickered to Jason. "About your age, really."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-one—or should it be almost twenty-four now? I don't know how that works. I'll just say twenty-one since it was only a few hours for me."

"I still can't get over that," Sookie shook her head. "Why does it work like that?"

"I think because it's technically a different realm entirely. I mean, I think it's pretty parallel to ours. But there doesn't seem to be much of a sense of time there, either. Night turns into day and vice versa there but nobody was even the least bit tired anywhere I went. Even after training. Oh, which reminds me," I turned to her. "Be sure and read people wherever you go now."

"What? Why?"

I quickly explained what Nahla had done and how convincing it had been. "Even their more human forms are illusions projected into the minds of everyone around them. It's really quite impressive. There are about two-thousand people there and they would all see the same thing if they were in the same room."

"That's crazy," Jason shook his head. It amazed me how similar the two siblings really were. Even though Jason denied it, there seemed to be at least one faerie thing about him: he was likeable in that effortless, easy sort of way. And I've heard that he gets any girl he wants, just about. People are naturally drawn to faeries—undead or alive.

"It really is," Sookie mused. "Do you think that my blood is the only reason why Bill ever said he loved me?"

I gave her a sympathetic look. "I can't say for certain. But I certainly didn't like what I heard as your friend, a woman, and someone of fae descent." I paused. "Did he really give you his blood the second day that you knew him?"

"I was beaten up by the Rattrays," she nodded in explanation. "He did it to save my life. He also had some of mine that night. He was licking it off of my forehead when I came to."

"And you found this attractive?" Jason asked, giving her a look that clearly said 'what-the-fuck.' She squirmed uncomfortably under our gazes.

"He was the first and only guy to show and interest in me up until recently."

"Eric," I replied knowledgably.

"How did you know?" Sookie asked, startled.

"Eh. I've been around him long enough to be able to read him—even without reading his mind."

"You can do that?"

"You can't? Maybe it's because I have a more direct lineage of fae blood in me. Yours is several generations back."

"Maybe. But you don't think he just wants my blood?"

"No, I don't," I shook my head. "From what Godric has told me about their time together—and they have about a thousand years in companionship—I've discerned that they never really settled down. At least not for very long. Eric seems insistent on keeping you around. What that means, I'm not sure. I could probably find out from Godric. But I'm not sure if he would willingly pass on his progeny's secrets. Probably not. They have a pretty father-son relationship." Which was weird to think about too much. If Godric and I got married…would Eric be my son, too? I somehow didn't think vampire politics and families worked that way. But it was still a weird thought. I would be twenty-something with a thirty-something-year-old son. Ha. Maybe those right-wing nuts are right. They aren't normal. But, really, what is normal?

"Aline," Jason raised an eyebrow at me.

"Sorry," I smiled, shaking out my long, choppy dark hair. "I guess I'm still a little tired."

"Just wanna make sure you're okay is all," he nodded. "Maybe you should go get some sleep."

"That doesn't sound like such a bad idea."

"I think I will, too," Sookie yawned. "These vampires are tiring."

"Somehow, I think this one's on me." She gave me a smile that was a mixture of an apology and sympathy.

"Well, I'm gonna head back to Bon Temps," Jason declared, standing up from the table. "Hoyt and them probably need a hand." He gave me a quick hug goodbye and then did the same to his sister, who insisted on walking him to the front door at least. I left them alone to return to Godric's room. He was in the same position he had been in when I left—still hugging that pillow I had squeezed in there as my replacement. I grinned, sliding into bed behind him to put my arm around his still waist, wondering exactly how confused he would be when he awoke.

The gentle movement of someone running fingers through my hair woke me up several hours later. I opened my eyes, meeting the sea-green eyes of Godric. A slow, lazy smile stretched across my face. "Good morning," I yawned.

"Morning?" he quipped, cocking an eyebrow in amusement. I furrowed my brows.

"Fine. 'Evening.' Keep it up, Chuckles, and I'll reconsider this whole you being able to wake me up whenever you're bored shtick." He chuckled.

"You have to be awake, a member of the Authority is on her way." The grogginess of sleep left me immediately as I sat up next to him. "I had Isabel bring you some of her clothes so that we would not have to," he paused, "explain your heritage." I nodded and stood to change. "Michael has also returned. He is in the living room."

"He couldn't see where I went, either?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. I glanced over my shoulder at him. He shook his head in response.

"God had no domain where you were. It is why we so readily believed that you were dead."

"Alcide? My father?"

"They have not been informed of your return. I thought that it may be best if that is something you do yourself." I nodded thoughtfully. That was going to be a rather messy reunion. I wasn't sure whether or not they would cry themselves into puddles or tear me apart until I made a puddle. It was probably the former.

"I'm going to kill that faerie the next time I see her," I grumbled, pulling on the skirt suit that Isabel had leant me. I made a mental note to commend her taste.

"I think there is a line forming for that," he smirked. He stood, pulling me against him and pressing a kiss to my temple. "But, for now, we must wait for Nan Flanagan to arrive."

I wrinkled my nose in a rather un-ladylike fashion. "Nan Flanagan? You mean no one has staked her yet?"

"Not yet, but give it time."

"Easy for you to say," I poked him in the chest before leading the way into the living room. Sookie and Eric were both already seated there. Sookie looked irritated about something and Eric felt remorseful. Godric raised his eyebrows in questioning at his progeny. He shook his head. Poor guy. He was rather good at digging holes to bury himself in. And Sookie had absolutely no problems smacking him in the head with his shovel until he fell in.

I sniggered a little at the thought, drawing all eyes to my face. Thankfully Isabel and Stan entered the room. "Thank you for letting me borrow your clothes," I smiled at the female vampire thankfully. "You have impeccable taste."

"Thank you," she smiled in return at me. It was a well practiced smile. Without reading her, I knew that she was a rather guarded individual. "I am glad that you like them. I was unsure of your personal taste. Godric helped me a little," she admitted, shooting him an amused glance.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Really? Well, maybe I should make you go shopping with me instead of Michael next time."

"As long as you stay in this realm, I have no problems following you anywhere," Michael objected as he entered the room. He had grown his hair out so that it was long enough he could wear it back in a ponytail.

"Sorry, I wasn't very familiar with how their realm worked." Stan and Isabel looked dreadfully confused. There was a sharp knock at the door. "But I'll have to tell you all about it later. Maybe you'll have some more insights for me."

"More than likely," he nodded seriously. We all stood, Godric leaving momentarily to answer the door. He returned moments later with Nan Flanagan and two of her security guards. She seated herself first before allowing us to sit as well.

"First things first," she began, staring all of us down, "why on earth did this even happen in the first place?"

"I thought that I could alleviate some of the tensions between vampires and humans," Godric replied honestly.

"They were going to force you to meet the sun."

"I am aware of that." I gripped his hand tightly.

"Do you have any idea how much of a media frenzy you've created? I'll be working nonstop for months to fix all of this damage."

"I apologize for that."

"I've heard you've become a little insane in your old age but I had no idea how true those rumors were," she said simply. "Sheriff, you fucked up. You're fired."

"With all due respect, I would like to suggest Isabel as my replacement."

"With all due respect, you don't have that kind of power anymore. You're just another washed up ancient."

"Watch your mouth," Eric snarled.

"No, you watch your mouth, Viking. Do you want to lose your area, too?"

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

"Try me, I'm on TV."

Sookie and I shot each other a glance over their squabbles. They're no more than children sometimes, I swear, she told me telepathically.

Oh trust me. The fae aren't much better. They just have the dignity of speaking in another language. And vampires like theirs to be more of a pissing match, I think, I replied with an amused smile. She returned my amusement, earning the attention of Nan.

"And what do the humans find so interesting? Why are you even here anyway?"

"She is my mate," Godric defended me. "And Sookie is her cousin."

"Your mate? You have a mate and you were willing to meet the sun. And, for Chrissake, what smells like dog?"

"Woof," I snapped at her.

"A werewolf? Good god, you are fucking insane," Nan stared at Godric. I growled protectively at her. She scowled at me, clearly looking down at me. Some day, the misanthrope in me is going to win. And there's going to be a lot less people left in the world. Undead or otherwise. "We're done here." With that, she let herself out with her guards in tow. I scowled after her.

"For wanting to stay alive, you certainly don't hesitate to stick your neck out for us," Stan grumbled at me. I stared at him evenly.

"I like vampires. Usually. More so than I like people in general," I admitted.

He shook his head, looking to Godric. "You always find the interesting specimens." With that, he turned on his heel and stalked out of the room. Isabel offered a slightly tearful exchange with Godric before following as well. She was extremely loyal to him. Something that both touched me and invoked a little, ugly pang of jealousy. I couldn't help but wonder if they had ever been involved together.

"You look like you're trying to set something on fire," Eric mused, coming to stand at my elbow.

"Don't be silly, I freeze and drown things," I replied absentmindedly. He glanced at me.

"And I thought that I had a foul temper." His chuckle snapped me out of my attempt to glare holes into the wall. I looked up at him in surprise.

"What?"

"You were wondering about Isabel and Godric?"

"I don't want to know. It's none of my business. I was gone for two years. Or a few hours. Whatever."

"You'd make a good vampire, you know. Cut throat and steadfast to defend anything you think is yours." I stared at him incredulously.

"Is that even possible?"

He shrugged. "Merely an observation. As for your question, no."

"What question?"

"I've never seen him fall apart as easily as he did after the first week you were gone," he continued as if I had never spoken. "He couldn't sense you any more. Anyone that looked like you was a constant source of disappointment. Eventually he stopped looking because it became too painful. Stan said that he confined himself to his room. Until the Fellowship demanded blood, of course. And now here we are," he smiled grimly at me. "So, no. Even when he believed that you had expired he never wavered. It was difficult to watch."

"It's difficult to hear," I admitted. I disliked being a source of discomfort for him. Even if it had been unintentional.

"I can imagine so. But if you ever pull a stunt like that again, and I lose him because of it, I will seek vengeance for it."

"I would expect no less from a Viking," I replied with a serious nod. He shot me a crooked smirk.

"Until then, just stay where he can find you. I'd hate to have to chain you to a tree." He glanced down at me. "I did have a serious inquiry for you."

I nodded.

"The silver chains that crazy fucktard of a reverend put on me, they were silver." Another nod. "You were able to touch them. Why?"

"I assume it's because of Kaelin's blood. The colors of his kingdom are blue and silver. Most of their decorations themselves are silver. It's the only thing I can think of that makes sense enough to me."

"Iron?"

"I'm not anemic," I shot him a confused look. He rolled his eyes.

"I meant the metal."

"Oh, I don't think it bothers me. I've never exactly gone looking for it before. Why?"

"Most fae cannot touch it. Lemons?"

"Love them."

"Garlic?"

"Hate it," I smirked lightly.

"Okay, I give up. You're just an abnormality of God."

"Depends on which God you sell your soul to," I muttered, walking away from him to rejoin Godric.

Thank you for reviewing, OrangePlasticGummyBear, Jupiter Water Goddess, and Ericsbee! You guys are on top of things. :)

The FanFiction muse has been rather kind to me this weekend. Here's to hoping that she finds me fascinating enough to hang out with me for a little while longer.

~Lynn