Author's Warning: There is strong language, sexual situations and adult content in this story. Be aware of what you read.

Listening Suggestions: Daddy Cool by Placebo (The song inspired this whole story.)

Big Poppa by Mindless Self Indulgence. -playing on Lennie's Ipod in while she rides into Dallas/Forth Worth, Texas.

Sexy Bitch by David Guetta and Akon.- the song playing on Lennie's Ipod as she walks into the Hotel.

Lovisa: (old Swedish word)-(pronounced: Lo-vee-sa) Translates roughly to beloved warrior

The Princess and the Sheriff

Brothers, what we do in life... echoes in eternity. Maximus- Gladiator (2000)

Chapter 2: Brother of Mine

Dallas, Texas

Put your hands in the air if you're a true player.....we can can rendevous at the bar at noon...A gun up in your waist...but no need to shoot up the place... put your hands in the air if your're a true player.... Echoed through Lennie's earphones as she opened the throttle on the bike. It roared in joy as the speed shot her forward. The highway wasn't that busy but it was still full of traffic. She sat low on the bike; the thumping sound of the song kept her smile in place as she raced down the dark highway. She swerved around a couple of cars, ducked between a pair of Mac trucks and dodged around other cars. She drove like it was a road race for the world title; and it thrilled her. She loved the rush of wind against her riding leathers; as she swerved around cars. She drove at speeds humans couldn't withstand; but it managed to send a tingle through her. She would survive a crash and to date had only crashed once; the first night she had learned to ride.

Flashback

America, 1955

Lennie had never sat on a horse like this before and was nervous. Focusing on the road in front of her she did what her instructor had said. The bike lurched and suddenly shot forward. She gripped with her thighs; hanging on for her unlife. The bike snarled and bucked her off. She went flying; soaring for a moment through the air before she landed on her face. Pain tried to register; she pushed it away and stood up. Her shredded body was already healing.

Lovisa, what has happened? I felt pain from you. Godric's voice breathed through her mind as she picked up the bike.

No need to worry. I am fine, already healed. I just crashed this motorcycle thing. She had to focus as she spoke in her mind.

It had not been an easy to skill to learn; but it did come in handy. To her knowledge, she was the only one Godric could do this with. Her brother did not have this skill. However, he had others, that she often wished for. Neither Lennie or Godric knew why this bond existed between them. They had learned to accept it and through time had learned to use it.

She got the feeling he was laughing at her, Thanks for the support.

I know better then to doubt your ability to master this machine. Best of luck, Lovisa.

Present day, Dallas Texas

Godric had been right; she had mastered the motorcycle. And ever since that day she had been addicted to riding. As the decades rolled on and the technology advanced; she had become more and more obsessed with it. This was a passion that managed to bring her thrills in her endless life.

In the distance she saw the lights of the city; she was close. Closing her eyes for a brief moment she reached out to her Maker. Because of the unique bond between them; she felt his presence. He was still in the city; he was still alive. Opening her eyes she focused on the thickening traffic around her. She could have slowed her speed and stayed in her lane; but she didn't do any such thing. Opening the throttle a little more; she guided the speeding bike between two cars. Swerving to the left; she passed by a large truck, gliding back into her lane; she zipped around a Jeep. She continued this pattern for several miles. Finally, she entered city limits of Dallas/Forth Worth, Texas.

**

The Hotel Carmilla was on the expensive end of vampire-friendly hotels. It was also the top hotel in the city. The hotel had their own private security force that was on duty twenty-four hours a day; seven days a week. The bartenders served every type of True Blood on the market and it was a guaranteed score for fang-bangers. The hotel was decorated in modern contemporary styles; with bold color splashes interlaced with cool tones. The three words: expensive, elite, and secure. That what's described the hotel.

Lennie slowed to a reasonable speed as she entered the city block. She saw the sign of the Hotel Carmilla up ahead. She rode up the marked road; gliding by the valet area for cars. She parked her bike in the designated BIKES ONLY area. Some called it a crotch-rocket; but she preferred the term, bitch-rocket. Swinging her right leg off the bike; she removed her helmet and set it on the seat, her leather gloves came off next. Tossing the gloves into the helmet. she lifted her arms and started to untangle her braid. Running her hands through her silken black hair. The song on her Ipod changed; she loved this song. She left her hair loose this time so it tumbled down around her brushing her hips. Lennie carried a hair elastic, in her pocket just in case. She combed her fingers through her hair again. Her hair finally fell comfortably down her back. Because of the braid; her hair was full of more waves then usual. A wave in her bangs made some it fall across her left eye. She felt really sexy as she shook her head one last time.

Grabbing her helmet; she tucked it under one arm and started toward the hotel entrance. Her hips swayed in tune to the song on her Ipod. The high-heeled boots were insanely high. Six inches of pure bitch-strutting-sexiness to be exact and it made her hips swing. Her leather pants hugged her legs from hip to ankle; complete with red and white piping down either side. In these pants she knew her legs looked a mile long. That boosted her confidence even more. She was smirking softly. Strutting into the hotel she knew eyes followed her. Men and women's heads turned; conversation lulled as she entered the foyer. She smiled in satisfaction; crossing to the coat-check area. Removing her headphones she stuffed them into her coat pocket; she turned off her Ipod.

Unzipped the matching black leather riding jacket; she tossed it to the coat-check human. He caught the jacket with a rushed motion. She set her helmet on the counter and accepted her ticket. He moved as if he was nervous. Once her things were tagged and put away; she faced the foyer. People watched her openly and she let her self enjoy it for a few moments. She smoothed her hands down her black t-shirt. Curious eyes watched the motion and she tossed her hair over one shoulder.

She sashayed her way across the marble floor; to the lounge area. Humans and vampires mingled easily and freely here. A few of the vampires were openly feeding from their humans. Others were chatting with each other while their humans talked between themselves.

Lennie looked around the entire lounge, taking her time. Ignoring the looks and whispers directed toward her. Near the back she found her target sitting on a crescent shaped couch. His back toward her; he sat semi-relaxed. He looked bored; she knew better. It was a mask; to keep people at a distance. Lennie made her way across the floor. As she neared, his shoulders tensed slightly. Just a fraction of a twitch; but she caught it. His head turned; staring with surprised eyes as she stalked up to him.

"Lennie," He greeted, not motioning for her to sit down.

"Eric," She sat down anyway.

She settled across from him and crossed her legs at the knee. He looked her over; taking his time. She let him; it always amused her that he did this. Her physical appearance hadn't changed since her first night with them. But he seemed to like looking her over. He finally met her eyes; his expression was guarded, withdrawn. That seemed to be his general expression these days. She wondered if he smiled any more; or told long stories. He used to love to tell stories. She doubted he did though; he was too busy playing politics to be any fun.

"I see that you're doing well, Sheriff of Area 5." She muttered.

"He sent you here." Eric stated.

She tipped her head in confirmation, "I am only here because you are my brother. I have no interest in whatever else you are here for."

Eric frowned, a slight downward twitch in his lips. "I am here for Godric."

"You are a liar," She stated flatly. Holding up a hand to silence his words. "And I do not care. He sent me here to see to you. Beyond that I care not."

"Lennie, you really need to learn to play politics a little better." Eric informed her, "You ruled your own kingdom for a time."

She nodded, "You're right I did; but I have never liked the idea of voting and discussion. It's much easier to take your place by the edge of the sword; then to toy with people who are insignificant."

He smiled at her; a real smile. "I have to wonder, yet again, why you are not a Sheriff."

She shrugged, smoothing a hand through her hair. "I am not well suited to such a task."

"You are powerful enough to hold your own lands. Why not challenge for a kingdom if you are bored by the idea of being a Sheriff?" Eric asked lightly.

A human waitress approached offering True Blood. Both of them shook their heads in unison. She moved on.

Lenny fixed Eric with a steady expression, "My place is beside his side; I will not step away from him until he orders me away."

Eric looked her over again; his eyes were serious. For a moment his face was unreadable. His eyes took on a heated glow; lingering in certain places on her body. "He always did have good taste."

She moved in a blur, sitting beside him. She leaned her body against his and he didn't stop her. Her lips pressed against his; he put his hand in her hair. This wasn't the first time they had kissed. She had lost count centuries ago. Eric pulled back; his fangs peeked out as he spoke.

"You are very skilled."

She smiled at him; her own fangs snapped back in her mouth. She moved away from him. "As are you. There will be time for that later."

"You are assuming I will still be in the mood." Eric muttered, his gaze lingered on her chest for a moment.

"Oh I think you will be." She teased softly.

Lennie was enjoying this playful banter with him. It had been a very long since they had shared any time together. He had been busy since the Great Revelation. Being Sheriff did require a lot of patience, a lot of dosey-doing around with others. She had no temperament for such things. It was nice to just sit with him and share time. She would never admit it out loud; but she needed these moments with him. It was the one time she could let her guard down and just be herself. She didn't have to focus on speaking English all the time; she could switch as often as she wanted. Her speech-patterns could go back and forth across the Ages; and he would still understand her. It was such a relief to be able to talk and not have to think about it too much. He was her, for all intense and purpose, her brother, at least in blood. The shared the same Maker and that was a bond that both of them considered sacred.

"So easy." His fingertips caressed her lips; her fangs snapped down again and he chuckled. "Sometimes I forget we share the same father," He muttered.

She drew back from him. Resting her elbow on the back of the couch, placing her head in her hand. "What does that mean?"

"How can you still be so wild, after all these centuries?"

She shrugged one shoulder. "I am the same as I was before. I find that we enjoy more freedoms in this new time. But I am relatively unchanged. You are just as wild. You hide it better that is all." She studied his face, "You were always more politically minded then I."

He smiled softly, "Aye, but you were always the blade that I could call on."

She smiled "That is what I am best at, big brother."

Lennie had taken to calling him big brother since their first night. It irked him and yet he allowed her to continue to call him that. Not that she would stop if he told her to. He was the closest thing she had to a sibling and a husband she had ever had; and Eric meant the world to her. He came second only to Godric in importance to her.

"Do you know what happened to him?" Eric asked, "How could the Fellowship manage to capture him?"

Lennie debated telling him the truth; but knew what his reaction would be. For it was the same reaction she had and still had. Eric would tear the church into splinters. He would slaughter every human in site and not stop until Godric was safe. But that wasn't what their Maker wanted; he had sworn her to non-action. So she kept the truth to her self.

"I have not stayed with him for weeks." Lennie answered and it was truth. "Stan and Isabelle would know more than I would at this point."

Eric regarded her for a long moment, "I am surprised that you have not cut a bloody path through the city. Normally you would not hold back; you would turn this city red until he was safe. You did that in Turkey in 1609, as I remember."

She smiled at the memory and to hide her reaction. He knew her well. But it made sense. The three of them had spent centuries together; it was the closest to a nest, Lennie had ever been. She had been his lover; his friend, his sister, his companion. Both of them had been Godric's companions, his children and both of them loved him.

"I did indeed." She muttered, "Perhaps I have mellowed somewhat with age after all."

He shook his head; she studied his face. With the short hair his sharp features stood out more; he looked younger, more polished.

"I liked your long hair, why did you cut it?" She asked gently.

"I got blood in it; my streaks were ruined, this was the only way to save them." He touched a hand to his hair, lightly, almost instinctively.

"Well, you look better with long hair."

Her gaze swept over him; she enjoyed looking at him. He had always appealed to her. They had spent many nights together over the centuries. She was never bored with him and always welcomed his presence in her life. No matter how fleeting or brief it was. Ever since he had been instated as the Sheriff of Area 5; he was less and less available to her.

Lennie reached out absently and touched his chest; tracing her fingers down his thin shirt. She felt the material under her fingertips and the coldness of his skin. He was everything she had wanted in a man when she was alive. That hadn't changed when she became vampire; and luckily enough, he had been willing to indulge her. She had shared with him at one point that she considered him to be her husband; as least in part. Eric had laughed hard at that statement; only to sober when she threw him out the window of their home. Godric hadn't interfered, but he had watched. Eric hadn't laughed at her again about that statement. Instead he'd been quite serious and said he was thankful she had told him. That had been over four hundred years ago; she wasn't sure if he still remembered those words. And she wasn't sure if it still mattered to her anymore. She hadn't really thought about it recently; her focus had been Godric and his plans.

Eric caught her hand as it drew down his chest. He held it in his. He raised it to his mouth and kissed her hand. She smiled softly at him. He released her hand and leaned in close; she followed the motion, leaning toward him.

"This is not the time or place, Lennie." He told her simply. "Come to my room later, we can continue this."

"I will be there." She moved to her feet; swishing her hair over one shoulder.

"Would you tell me?" He asked. She looked at him, arching a brow in question, "Would you tell me what he told you?"

She shook her head, "I will find you tonight, Eric."

"Lennox," He used her modern name; it made her pause. "The only reason you have not cut this city to bloody ribbons is because he ordered you not to."

Eric caught her hand as she stepped around him. She stopped again, looking down at him. He stared up her into green eyes; his own blue eyes were intense, filled with emotion. She sat in his lap, looping her arms around his neck. He put his arms around her middle; they sat like that for a long time.

Eric muttered, quietly, softly. "Why would order you to bury your sword?"

She kept her self from sighing; lest she tell him the truth. She pulled in a breath instead. "He is not helpless, Eric. We have to trust in him."

"I do, but I do not trust the humans around him. And what of the nest he has built around him? What of Stan? He is…very Texan."

She smiled, laughing gently, "Aye that he is. But he will not cross me."

Eric surprised her by placing kisses on her throat. He paused, letting his lips linger for a moment longer then normal. His arms slid away from her; he pulled away from her. Leaning his large frame against the couch; arms folded across his stomach. "I will be seeing you again."

"Count on it," She leaned down; cupping his face.

With loving hands she tipped his chin up. For a moment she stared into his eyes; she so wanted to tell him. To share everything with him; but Godric had silenced her; she had no choice.

Lennie kissed Eric's lips; deep and slow. It was given in comfort; nothing else. More for her comfort then his. Breaking the kiss she turned her back on him and left the lounge. He stared after her until she disappeared.

**

Lennie couldn't shake the guilt from her being. Yes, even vampires could feel guilt. And she did. She had never lied to Eric ever before; and tonight she had. She hated herself for that. But Godric knew she could handle his decision better then Eric would. That is why he had told her in the first place. It was her duty, to her Maker, to keep silent.

She shrugged on her coat, collected her helmet, and turned only to pause. She saw the four of them enter the hotel like a family might. The two vampires stood on either side of the blonde woman. A fat human walked a step behind the red-haired female vampire. The male vampire was just over a century old; the female vampire was still a baby.

Lennie frowned at the sight of the balding fat man; she recognized him. He belonged to the Fellowship of the Sun. She had seen him on raids through out town before and often at public gatherings with Steve Newlin. The four of them moved through the entry, heading into her direction, but not aware of her. She turned away quickly, before he saw her. No telling how deep the trance was that held him. If he saw her, he might break the trance and attack. He was hard-wired to kill vamps on sight. Not that his attacking her bothered her. That suited her just fine, but she didn't think the hotel would appreciate the cost of repairs for her actions. Subtly was just not something she had learned very well as a human; and even less as a vampire. Eric has once said she as subtle as a knife to the heart. In other words she was not at all subtle. Lennie smiled at the thought of him. She wanted to return to the lounge and pull him into her arms. It wouldn't take much for him to surrender to her; she knew that. Nonetheless, she stood her ground, pushing Eric from her mind.

"Sit over there," The dark haired vampire ordered the red head, "Behave, Jessica. This won't take long."

Lennie watched via a mirror on the wall; above an antique table. She pretended to fuss with her hair. She watched as the red-head, Jessica, did as she was told. So he was her Maker, Lennie mused. She watched him as he stepped up to the front desk, his arm around the blonde human. She could tell from a glance that he loved this woman. It made her nauseous to think of him loving a human. She shuddered and had to look away for a moment.

Lennie turned her gaze to Jessica and the human. She smiled at the look on the baby vamp's face; her eyes twinkled with child-like glee. She sat forward and whispered something to the human.

The dark-haired vampire spoke to the desk-girl. "These accommodations are being covered by a third party, I believe."

The desk attendant nodded, "Yes, Sir, by a Mr. Northman."

Lennie looked over sharply at the mention of her brother. He was covering the expenses for these three? She frowned sharply; the human shouted whatever Jessica had told him; but Lennie didn't hear a word. She was suddenly intent on why it was Eric was paying for these people. It wasn't like him to do that; not unless he was getting something out of the deal. And just what did these two have that he wanted so much?

"Thank you, kindly." The vampire signed the register and accepted their room keys.

Lennie debated following them; of taking the blonde female hostage and forcing information from her. But there were easier ways. Once the three of them were on the elevator; the fat human sat mindless in the lobby, she crossed to him. Taking Jessica's pace she caught his gaze and he was lost to her will.

"Tell me who they are." She ordered.

"Bill Compton and Sookie Stackhouse."

The names were not familiar to her, "Where are they from?"

"Bon Temps, Louisiana." He didn't blink once; his voice was even, non-effected.

Bon Temps that was part of Eric's domain. "Why is the Fellowship after them?"

"The human, Sookie Stackhouse, she is a creature of the devil."

Lennie arched a brow; distain blossomed in her chest as she stared at the fat human. "What did she do to earn that title?"

"She consorts with vampires and is not to be trusted."

"Tell me the truth," She ordered him, "Why were you sent to get her?"

"She is telepathic, that's what Steve says."

Lennie had to clench a fist to keep her self from killing the human in front of her. Steve Knewlin! She sucked in a deep breath to calm herself. She had been part of the group that had killed his father not that long ago. She'd been happy to do it. The Fellowship deserved to be burned from the earth. And he was number one on her hit list at the moment.

She turned her focus back to the human. "You are going to sleep and when you wake up, you will have quit the Fellowship and move to Brazil." And just for the hell of it, she added, "You're going to give every cent you have to the Vampire League of America."

Rising from the seat across from him; she watched as he fell asleep.

Lennie turned away from the human, making her way outside. Settling into the seat; she took out her cell phone.

"Good evening, Hotel Carmilla. Sharon speaking, how may I help you?"

"I need to book a room," Lennie had considered staying at Godric's house; her room was still hers, even without him there. But he wanted to be close to Eric.

"Of course, we have an opening on the seventh floor. Would that be suitable?"

"Yes, thank you."

"How will you be paying?" Sharon asked.

"American Express, I have the number and will bring the card with me when I check in tomorrow night."

Lennie recited her credit card number and received her confirmation number. Ending the call; she put her earphones in; she would be back later tonight. She and Eric had unfinished business. Music filled her head as she slid her helmet on. She took a moment adjusting the fall of her hair, so that it laid flat against her back. She tied it back with the elastic and started the engine. People looked over at the growl of the machine; she backed it out of the space. Balancing on the balls of her feet. Revving the engine once, she opened the throttle and the bike shot forward with her securely astride.

As she drove away from the hotel; she tried to focus on the tasks in front of her. She had to read up on Bill Compton and Sookie Stackhouse. Something just didn't feel right about those two. Worst yet, they were too close to Eric for her comfort. Something was brewing in the city of Dallas and it involved the two people she would die for. She had to sort it out before either of them got hurt. Lennie knew she had to find out more.

First things, first, she had to locate Godric and talk to him. Something just wasn't adding up for her. She turned her focus outward and tapped that link between them. She could see through Godric's eyes for a moment; and it was enough. She knew where he was located. Guiding the bike toward the out-skirts of town, she settled into that calm darkness with in. People would die tonight; and so help her; she was looking forward to it.

**