Don't You Wanna Stay?

Disclaimer: As always I own nothing except my OC's.

A/N: I love a sweetheart Eric…I can't help it that scene on the rooftop changed him forever for me. However I'll try to keep him as true to character as I can. The song Seren sings in this chapter is called Sof Ha'Olam or End of the World. It's a Hebrew funeral song. If you would like to hear it my favorite version is from Xena: Warrior Princess. Google "Burial Xena Warrior Princess" and it should bring up the clip on YouTube.

Two

Eric gripped the edges of the plush wing chair he'd made himself comfortable in as Sookie dropped to the floor and began to writhe in pain as the potion hit her system. Only her immaculate self-control honed by years of locking others out of her mind kept her from screaming in agony.

It's worth it, it's worth it, it's worth it. She chanted silently. Anything is worth being free again, truly knowing her own mind again. No more second guessing every thought, feeling, emotion. Knowing her decisions, ideas, and opinions are really hers.

Worth it. Worth it. Worth it. WORTH IT!

"Can't you do something?" Eric demanded of the seraph. He despises his lack of knowledge about her and her kind. All he knows it that she's not supposed to exist and the few things he's seen for himself. It will not do. He's about to trust his Maker's life and well-being to a creature he knows too little about and a human telepath he can't convince to trust him.

This situation had fucked-up written all over it.

"No." Seren studies her friend and charge with sorrow and regret filling her. "We discussed it over and over again since that damned Compton forced her to take his blood. Besides witchcraft or a plant that's been extinct for centuries that potion I gave her is the only way to break a blood bond. If it had been a true bond it could've killed her depending on the strength of the bond. But it was a chance she was willing to take."

"Her independence is very important to her." Eric observed after a moment, ideas churning in his head. Her concern for Sookie allows him a modicum of relief as far as Godric's safety goes at least. Sookie is many things: independent, naïve at times, infuriating, irritating. But she's also kind, generous, and fair. She won't allow her angelic-reject to injure his Maker.

"Very." She agrees drily. "She's been one of my more difficult charges."

"Charges?" He cocks a brow in her direction as Sookie slowly began to calm down. "You mean…like a guardian angel?"

She snorts. "Hardly. Those whiny winged bigots are given their charges through 'divine authority', if a seraph or Fallen is looking after someone it's usually out of love, loyalty, or being sworn to a line."

"Does such things happen often?"

Sighing she crouches down next to her pretty little Faery. "Not anymore. Seraphs are all but extinct and Fallen have…other concerns."

Eric mulled that over as Sookie began to wake from her artificial trance. At once Seren lifted her back onto the brick-red suede couch behind her. Gently she brushed her golden hair from Sookie's eyes as her friend returned from her pained state of mind.

"Banphrionsa?"

"I'm not a princess, Seren." Sookie said as she shifted, gingerly opening her eyes. "That's you."

Seren laughed in relief. "You're one too." Her Irish lilt is out in full force. "I was worried about you, Faeling."

Rolling her shoulders Sookie cracked her neck. She felt…free. Her mind is her own again. As for her powers…Eric is still a peaceful void.

Seren on the other hand…

We were both worried little one. All she picked up was what the seraph projected for her to hear.

Laughing Sookie gave a happy sigh, then reviewed the last months with a clear head.

"Motherfucker!"

Eric and Seren exchange a shocked look. Eric had never heard that kind of language from the gracious Southern belle before while Seren knew it only happened under extreme circumstances.

"What is it, Sookie?"

What's wrong, Banphrionsa?

"Gran," tears welling up in her eyes Sookie looked up at Seren's wings her face blank with rage. "If it wasn't for Bill and his giving me his blood I never would've gotten involved with him and Gran…"

"Would still be alive." Seren finished for her, cursing in her mind. "That's on me, Faeling. If I hadn't gone home…"

"No, no. Seren," Sookie knelt at her friend's feet, grabbing her hands with her own for now ignoring the Viking watching with avid interest. "You've watched over me for twenty years. You deserved that break with your own people. Besides you were summoned. What were you supposed to do…" …ignore a goddess? She finished just between them, knowing full well that Eric is watching and gathering information. Sookie isn't sure if he speaks Gaelic or not but she isn't going to take any chances on it as old as he is.

"If I can't blame myself than neither can you." Seren said firmly, drawing Sookie to her feet and placing her hands on her shoulders. Intent on gaining a promise from her charge she stares deeply into her eyes, impressing the importance of her words onto her. She'll be damned if she'll let Sookie take another's sin onto her soul. Seren's is dark enough for both of them.

"Deal," Sookie says nodding then turning to look at the Viking.

She nearly gasps. Until now she had no idea just how deeply Bill's blood had influenced her. My gods…he's beautiful. Drawing upon her willpower Sookie stiffened her knees, her pride refusing to let herself turn into a puddle of melted Sookie on the wooden floors.

Sookie heard Seren's giggle in her mind. Like I said…Viking Sex-on-a-Stick. Looking at her guardian the two of them burst into girlish giggles over the "hotty-hot" that is Eric Northman.

Catching the looks passing between the females and inferring the reason behind them Eric smirked at them.

"See something you like, Lover?"

Sobering, Sookie sauntered over to him with all the latent sexuality of a burgeoning Fae. Eric couldn't believe his eyes. Without Compton's blood it's like a whole new woman swaying her hips and making eyes at him. Gone was any hint of false modesty or girlish prudery. This was someone who is all-woman and knows it.

What a magnificent creature she is. And she will be Mine.

Leaning over his seated form she perched her hands lightly on his shoulders and licking her lips whispered a fraction of an inch from his ear.

"Maybe." She all but breathed.

Proud of her protégé Seren watched Sookie regain herself after the mindfuck Compton pulled. "Much as I would like to watch you two eye fuck each other for the rest of the night…dawn is coming and we have a job to do in the morning."

With a disappointed moue of her full lips Sookie stood, crossing her arms over her chest as Eric watched her with a wicked grin.

"Just a drop." Seren warns him as his fangs clicked down into place.

Acknowledging the warning he nods before nicking the tip of his index finger allowing a drop of his ancient blood to well like a glistening ruby against the pearly sheen of his skin.

Cradling his hand with her own Sookie brings his finger up between her lips and suckled at the blood as it hit her system like a live electrical current. Teasingly she strokes her velvety tongue along the length of his finger as his bright blue eyes burn into her, watching her every movement with desire. So many years…so much power in his blood. Something tells her, warns her, that one drop is more than enough to addict her to this vampire.

Interrupting them before they could fall upon each other in a frenzy Seren knocks a vase from one of the end tables with a shrug. She never really like that one anyway.

Snapping his head around to the seraph he pulls his hand away from the little temptress.

"You're welcome to stay here, Sheriff. On my honor as a seraph nothing will harm you. But I will understand if you choose to return to your hotel."

Nodding respectfully he thanks her then says:

"I'll spend the day at the Hotel Carmilla with Bill and the others, lest I miss an update from one of Godric's nest-mates."

With a smoldering look at Sookie, he took he leave flying at high speed to beat the dawn.

*x*x*x*x*

"Well…" Seren drawls out. "That was interesting."

"Shut up." Sookie says half-heartedly. She couldn't put any real heat into it as she moved over to what will be her bed for the few hours they have before going to the FotS compound.

Seren just blows a raspberry at her back. "So Compton had a bigger hold on you than you thought didn't he?"

"Yes." She hisses out. "I don't even want to think about all the crap he put me through. Manipulating my emotions, my desires." She shudders.

"I could kill him for you." Seren offers eagerly. "You know I could. You should let me. You really should."

Sookie laughs, shaking her head as she shucks her clothes and climbs into her bed.

"You know I can't let you do that. Not over me." Sobering she stared at her friend, her face and wings nearly concealed in the shadows of the doorway. "I don't want you to darken anymore. Not for me. Never for me."

Uncomfortable as always at her charge's insight Seren shrugs her shoulders and wings. "As you wish. But if he ever gives me an excuse other than you. Or harms you in front of me…I'll do what I have to."

Sad, but knowing there isn't anything she can do to change her mind, Sookie nods. There's only so much she can ask her friend to do before she crosses that line between wanting her friend to be the best of herself and trying to change her essential self.

Seren could no less stop being a ruthless killer than she could change the color of her wings.

It's part of her very nature.

Like it's part of Eric's nature. But with a difference. Eric is a thousand years old Viking warrior who learned from the cradle to kill to protect and defend.

Seren is a several thousand years old Seraph/Human hybrid bred to have no remorse, no emotion, and no hesitation when it came time to make a kill. An assassin with wings. Death for hire.

Two very different sides to the same coin.

And gods help her but they are two of the most important beings in her life.

*x*x*x*x*

Later that day two lovely Southern belles decked out in matching sundresses pulled up in their sensible gray sedan at the Fellowship of the Sun, met by none other than Sarah Newlin herself. Sookie rounds the hood of the car with a wave as she assists her blind friend out from the passenger side of the car.

Who's the blonde?

That's Sarah Newlin the minister's wife.

Ah.

Making sure to appear somewhat feeble Seren made ample use of the white cane in one hand and adjusted her thick sunglasses as Sookie "led" her towards the woman in her classic twinset.

"Hi!" Texas charm practically oozed from what must've been a former Ms. Texas. "I'm so excited to meet y'all! We had no idea Jason had such lovely relatives."

Returning the greeting the two women shook hands with Mrs. Newlin, Seren barely controlling her urge to wipe her hands clean afterwards. Charm isn't all she oozes. Hate and fear have a scent and feeling all their own to her kind at the good Mrs. Newlin was ripe with them.

"Hi, I'm Jason's sister Sookie and this is my friend Katie. When she heard that Jase was here at y'all's leadership camp she just insisted we come visit and find out what y'all are about."

The Southern charm continued to flow as Seren used the excuse of her "disability" to tune out the idle chatter. While Sookie kept up the pretense and scanned the people around her Seren looked for weaknesses in security and anything suspicious or out of place. Like a door that didn't seem to lead to anywhere according to the plans she'd studied during the early morning.

"Steve! Steve!" Mrs. Newlin called over her husband with a hurried movement. With a congenial smile the Reverend moved over to greet their guests. Any friends of Jason are friend of theirs. "This is Jason's sister Sookie and her friend Katie."

"Sookie?" One dark brow arched at the name. It's very distinctive…very distinctive indeed.

"Yes." Smiling she beams charm at him. "I'm afraid Jason doesn't know we were coming to visit. We wanted to surprise him."

"And what a lovely surprise this is." He agreed. For him. Gabe would enjoy the little fangbanger immensely. Should put him in a great mood for their bonfire.

"Oh!" Mrs. Newlin suddenly seemed flustered. "I haven't shown you the chapel yet! Come, come."

Tapping with her cane Seren followed the others into the bright room. Sighing she closed her eyes for a moment enjoying the abundant light on her skin.

"I can feel the light on my skin." She murmurs almost to herself.

Startled by the comment from the mostly silent woman the Newlins hurried to agree.

Remembering to keep up her act she cocks her head as if trying to locate them in the room. She felt…something. Despair. Pain. Peace. Weariness. All jumbled up and confused. Godric.

I found him, Faeling. He's in the basement.

Can you distract the Newlins while I figure out a way to get us out of here without Jason? Eric needs to know we found him.

Done.

"The acoustics in this room must be incredible." She observed, trying to kill two birds with one stone.

"They truly are wonderful." Mrs. Newlin agreed. Steve's voice can reach all the corners of the cavernous room with little effort.

Nodding, Seren tap-tap-tap'd her way over to the podium. "Do y'all mind if I try them for myself?"

"Of course," Steve waves one hand in a magnanimous gesture as Gabe enters the room.

Closing her eyes Seren gathers herself then begins to sing.

Al tishkechi she'amarti lach

al tishkechi

shehakol kvar yadu'a merosh

anu kan leha'avir et hazman

al tik'asi she'ahavt oti

al tik'asi

shirim shet'vulim besh'karim

he'enakti lach k'mo shoshanim

Noticing the lurking form of Gabe, Sookie tries peeking into his mind only to find a roiling kettle of hate and rage.

(Zehu) sof ha'olam, sof ha'olam

zeh hit'chil shehefsaknu lach'lom

shehefsaknu kvar lekavot

(x2)

Seeing the awe on everyone's faces at the nearly angelic voice coming from a supposedly-blind woman Sookie began moving towards the doors, knowing that Seren is more than capable of getting herself out of there.

Yeled sinteti kavui

mul masach shedolek

tistakel al har'chov eich hu reik

kvar shachachnu eich lesachek

magefah orevet lanu bechol pinah

mechakah shenechta bemag'a

kvar shachachnu mah zot ahavah

After the first lines, the voice began filling the cracks of the building, filling it overflowing with its beauty. Filtering its way down into the basement and the broken vampire that lies quietly at his daily rest.

Sof ha'olam...

Coaxed from his day rest Godric slowly opens his deep brown eyes, only to hear the echoing last lines of a woman's beautiful song of mourning.

Az tikach et hakadur sheya'if otcha

harchek mikan

basof yimtze'u otcha met

yich'tevu shehayita shotek

im metim rak yachlu ledaber mah hayita omer

hayita tzo'ek lekulam tistaklu,

zehu sof ha'olam...

Sitting up for a moment he shakes his head then lies back down and closes his eyes. A voice like that…whoever she is, she isn't for him. Someone like that deserves an angel, not a demon.

*x*x*x*x*

Snapping out of the trace induced by the woman's song, Steve noticed the fangbanger inching her way out the door.

"Grab her!" He orders Gabe.

"Steve!" Shocked, Sarah can't believe what he's doing. What on Earth possessed him to sic Gabe on such a sweet little thing?

"She's a fangbanger!" Her husband shouts at her. "I heard it all from Jason. How his sweet sister got caught up with a demon vamp and someone killed their grandmother over it. She deserves whatever she gets."

"And that one?" Gabe nods over at the stock-still form of Seren as he slings the now-unconscious Sookie over one shoulder.

With one last mournful look at the angel that sang so beautifully he nods with a sigh. Witnesses. He can't afford that right now.

"Give her to Godric."

*x*x*x*x*

A sudden shock of fear coming through the bond snapped Eric awake with a snarl. Sookie's in danger. Pacing over to the clock he stares at the time. Two o'clock. Almost six hours before sunset at this time of year. Growling he shakes his head as he lays back down.

There's not a gods-damned thing he can do until the killer sun goes down. He just hopes it isn't too late.

*x*x*x*x*