Don't You Wanna Stay?

A/N: This chapter focuses more on the developing Sookie/Eric storyline than that of Godric/Seren. Also, I'll try to get the dialogue and events to match up with that of the actual episode but it's not going to be exact as I'm sure we're all familiar with those events. I'm only going to rehash what's relevant to the Sookie/Eric storyline.

Disclaimer: If I owned True Blood Bill wouldn't be within a mile of Sookie and Godric never would've died.

Four

Sookie follows close behind Eric as he led the way out of the basement. Part of her worries for Seren for a moment before her good sense takes over. If there's one creature she doesn't need to worry above surviving this death trap masquerading as a church, it's the seraph. Coming to a stop at Eric's commanding motion, they peer around the corner of the outer sanctuary wall.

Fudge. Guards all decked out in silver and stakes with automatic rifles for good measure.

Before Eric could move towards the guards, Sookie grabs his shirt.

"Godric's your Maker…isn't he?"

"You shouldn't use words you don't understand." He whispers, watching the movements of the vermin guarding the door. These creatures really think that they can stand against him?

"You have a lot of love for his." She notes perceptively. She may not know anything about Godric and hardly anything more about Eric, but she knows love when she sees it. She doesn't need her…gift…to tell her how deeply the two feel for each other.

"Don't use words I don't understand." He lies smoothly. He knows what love is. Bill and the rest of the vampire world may think the Northman doesn't feel, can't feel, but the truth is that while he loves only rarely, once he does it's forever.

An emotion far stronger and more enduring than the fleeting fickle sentiment most humans use as an excuse for all manner of misbegotten deeds and hurtful things.

Before he could move Sookie stops him again.

"He said no bloodshed."

Turning he leans down whispering in her ear, his breath rustling the hair escaping from her braid.

"Trust me."

And then he's gone acting the bucktoothed-bubba in a truly inspiring performance. Sookie could hardly believe the Viking capable of debasing himself to that extent and all to obey his Maker.

Catching the thoughts of one of the guards she calls out: "STAKE!"

Whirling on his would-be attack Eric knocks the men out before rushing to Sookie and whisking her inside the chapel.

"Is there another way out?"

"Yes, behind the pulpit."

As they move towards the back of the room Steve Newlin interrupts them, his words and the following stalemate mostly a blur to Sookie as she watches Eric struggle between his own desire to destroy those who dared to hold his Maker captive and his Maker's directive. When he offered himself in exchange for her and Godric she could hardly believe her ears, crying out in protest as he laid down and allowed himself to be silvered.

"You have me, I traded myself for them. Sookie goes free."

The honorable Reverend Newlin just laughs, taunting Eric with the knowledge that he had no intention of allowing her to go free. Rather, he preferred to strap her to Eric and watch them both roast like marshmallows.

As she struggles to free herself, bruising her arms to the bone in the attempt, Bill crashes into the sanctuary along with most of Godric's nest.

"Sookie!"

Newlin just looks at her in equal parts wonder and disgust. "What is it about you?" He shakes his head, holding her at gunpoint only to be shot in the hand and head by a paintball-gun-wielding Jason Stackhouse.

Sookie breaks away from Bill, his touch repugnant to her after having his blood cleansed from her system and rushes to free Eric despite Bill's protests. Tears in her eyes she removes the silver holding him to the alter, exchanging an emotion-laden look with the injured vampire.

Blinking Eric shoves these…feelings…away and growls, rising to his feet and glides, power in every step, to the prone form of Newlin. Growling low he picks him up with one hand and holds him dangling above the alter steps.

"Eric, no!" Sookie calls out, trying to stop the vampire from disobeying his Maker. "Don't kill him."

"Steve Newlin!" Stan calls out from the sanctuary doors. "You have pushed us too far. You expect us to sit on our asses while you round us up and lynch us? We'll kill you first, same as we did your father!"

Great. Really helpful there, Stan.

"Murderer!" Newlin mewls, trying futilely to free himself from Eric's iron grip while Eric watches him like a scientist studying a particularly foul strain of virus. One to be snuffed out.

"Destroy them." Stan orders. "All of them." A snick sounded throughout the cavernous room as the vampires sprang on the nearest Fellowship members.

Only to be brought up short of the kill by a familiar voice.

"Enough!" Godric stands strong and fearless above the sanctuary.

xXxXxXxXx

Sookie could barely hold in her laughter at the look on Newlin's face when Godric told him that he's older than Jesus. Priceless. Simply priceless. Even now mingling with the vampires back at Godric's nest she found herself chuckling inside while she waits for Seren to return from whatever side-mission she took herself on.

Speak of the devilish creature…there she is prowling through the front door as casual as she pleases.

Sookie did laugh as she caught sight of what she was wearing. Instead of the solid silver dress from the previous evening, Seren was wearing her "company" version of her hunting clothes.

Black leather pants – only without the wear marks and rips – clings to every curve while shiny patent leather black boots with sky-high heels cover her from toe to just above her knees. But it's what she's wearing on top that made Sookie – and everyone else – stop and stare. A blood red silk halter top barely covers her chest, leaving a wide expanse of her flat stomach bare along with her arms, neck, and shoulders. A silver choker covers her neck from jaw to collar bone, matched by silver cuff bracelets on each wrist and a silver belly chain. For all intents and purposes she was untouchable.

Her outfit sent a clear message: Come, touch…but you'll pay a price…

A tingling sensation traveled down her spine and Sookie turns from observing her friend to see the massive form of Eric a hairsbreadth from touching her. Leaning down like in the church corridor Eric whispers in her ear.

"Tell me, do you share your friend's love of silver? Or do you prefer other ways of making men pay for daring to touch what's not their own?"

Rising up on her tip toes after he straightened out she whispers in turn, barely refraining from stroking her hands down his sculpted chest.

"That depends. Since I belong to no one but myself, I've little need to…punish anyone. Unless they touch me without my permission."

Appreciation for her and her answer sparks in his arctic blue eyes as he nods behind her. "I think your guard dog would disagree."

Turning she hisses under her breath at the looks being sent their way by Bill.

"That doesn't matter a whit to me since soon he's not going to be in a position to disagree with anything."

Arching a brow he studies her face as her fury breaks through her mask for a moment.

"What's going on in that pretty head of yours?"

Laughing she waves him off. Now isn't the time for them to work out…whatever this is.

"Nothing you need to be concerned about."

xXxXxXxXx

A/N: A short one this time to get through the church scene. A longer one next time, I promise!