A/NI just wanted to take a moment here and say that, when it comes to the whole "who should Sookie choose?" debate, I'm definitely team Eric, obviously. However, I do NOT hate Bill Compton. In the books, I think he's a wonderful character because you can't decide if you want to hate or like him. I also really liked him in the first season of True Blood, but not as much during the second season because he's just being too whiny. However, for the purposes of this story, I had to make him the uber bad guy. Enjoy!!

From Chapter 17

I walked through the house, trying to find something to occupy myself with. I entered the kitchen, but exited again when I knew I was too nervous to eat. I started towards the dance studio, but knew it wouldn't help either. I finally settled on sitting on the bed and rechecking some of the financial documents Eric had given me for his area. For some reason, my eye caught on something I'd missed before. No, that can't be right. I pulled up a few other records for comparison. My eyes opened wider as the realization as to what I found had sunk in. I knew what I had to do, but I couldn't do it alone. I grabbed my cell phone and dialed the familiar number. It was answered after one ring. "Hey, it's Ana. I need your help."

Chapter 18

GPOV

As I stood in a large open field, contemplating the coming conflict, I thought of the allies that would stand by me. Eric, Sookie, Pam, Chow, Jason, and I were all prepared to do battle with Queen Sophie-Ann's minions. I was still hoping that we could end this without any bloodshed, but, from the way Sookie and Eric have described Compton, and knowing myself how bloodthirsty Sophie-Ann truly is, I know the chances of that are slim.

I watched as two black vehicles, both with completely darkened windows pulled up to the area we were standing in, and vampires began climbing out. Sophie-Ann and her child Andre, her personal bodyguards Sigebert and Wybert, Compton, Lorena, and two male vampires I was not familiar with began to stand in a line across from us.

"Well, well, well, isn't this precious. You've all come to grovel and give me what is mine by right," Sophie-Ann said. Her ego truly knows no bounds.

"Not exactly, Your Majesty," came Eric's reply. I could feel the anger rolling through him, and knew he was holding back.

"Well, then to what do I owe this honor? Surely you're not here to go against the will of your Queen?" She shifted her gaze directly to me. "And I truly do not care how much older you are than me, Godric, I am Queen, and you're no longer even a Sheriff."

With a show of courage that is rare in humans, Sookie took a small step forward and said, "M'am, with all due respect, maybe you could tell me what exactly it is that you want from me, please?"

"Oh goodness, William, you didn't tell me how simply charming she is. Well, since you did say please. I plan on using your telepathic talents in my business dealings."

"And why does that require me to be manipulated? I would've been more than happy to discuss an arrangement with you if you had simply asked."

I saw a tiny spark in Sophie-Ann's eyes, and knew that the time for pleasantries had ended. "Yes, well, that would be assuming that I would actually condescend to negotiating with a cow. I am Queen of Louisiana. You live in Louisiana. I can do whatever I want with you, whenever I want to."

"But I'm not a vampire. I'm a human, and pardon me for saying so, but, in the United States we elect government officials so we don't have to follow the rule of a monarch." I felt pride coming from my bond with Eric, and knew that, although he was worried she might upset Sophie-Ann even more, he was proud of her for standing up for herself. If I was being completely honest with myself, so was I.

I felt a distinct buzzing at the back of my skull, and prayed that I was mistaken. However, with my age, there was no way I could be. Why was she so close to me? Had she disobeyed? Had she been taken? Eric picked up on my distress, and looked at me through the corner of his eye. I saw his eyes widen when he began to comprehend what I was sensing. I saw his hands ball into fists, and knew that he was thinking the same thing I was. If Sophie-Ann had sent someone to my home to take Lilliana, we would not stop until she was in pieces.

At the first sound of another vehicle approaching our location, I saw the slightest flicker of surprise on Andre's face, and knew that the Queen was not responsible for this. When my mind recognized the other presence approaching us, I closed my eyes in frustration. What was she thinking?!?

A dark green Camaro pulled up just behind us, and Lilliana and Isabel were out and on their way to join us within seconds. Isabel took a place to stand next to Pam, and Lilliana determinedly nudged Eric and I apart and stood between us, looked at Eric and handed him a document, then stepped in front of us. I wasn't sure what she gave to Eric, but, I saw his eyes widen, and then an evil grin crossed his lips.

"Your majesty, I apologize for the interruption, but I have a proposal for your consideration," Ana said in a very business-like manner. What was she up to?

"And who the hell are you that I should want to listen? I don't do business with humans."

"Well, since that seems to be the very reason you want Sookie, I tend to disagree." I reached up and grabbed her, squeezing to let her know she was getting too close to crossing a line with Sophie-Ann. She turned her head slightly and nodded, indicating she understood.

"She is my mate," I said in an authoritative tone. For a Vampire as old as I to declare a human as my mate held great significance, and I knew that it would not be lost on the Queen and her minions.

"Oh, so this is the little dancing human. Lilliana, is it not? I have heard tales of your grace and beauty," said the Queen. This was not the first time I'd heard another vampire say this about my Ana. I was unaware of how so many vampires throughout the states had heard of her. It was unsettling.

"Yes, well, we are not here to discuss me. As I said, I have a business proposal that should please all parties."

"Oh, I guess it won't hurt to let you speak for a moment before we kill you all. Go on."

"Miss Stackhouse has exchanged blood with Eric Northman, Sheriff of Area 5, multiple times. They are bonded. They cannot be separated. It would not be feasible to force Eric to leave this area, as, since tourism is down in your own city since Hurricane Katrina, his area is the highest earner in your kingdom. An arrangement can be made for Miss Stackhouse to be made available to you for three days each month, and you may contact Eric if you require her assistance for additional time, and arrangements can be made." Well, she had actually thought this out quite well. How enterprising of my beloved. I knew that Sophie-Ann wouldn't take this deal without some other incentive. I wondered what Ana was keeping silent on.

"Yes, that would be a fine enough arrangement. However, why would I agree to that when I can just simply take her with me here and now, and kill Mr. Northman?"

"Because unless you agree to our terms, you will surely loose your entire kingdom," Ana said with perfect confidence. With the confidence I felt flowing through our bond, I knew she wasn't bluffing. What had my darling been up to?

"Only the Magister has the authority to dethrone a monarch," Sophie-Ann said, and I started to see the slightest hint of nervousness on her face.

"Precisely. And since he should be here shortly, I'll be brief." Ana reached back and took the back the document she'd handed to Eric. "I have here verifiable proof that Mr. William T Compton deposited $50,000 in a bank account in Dallas, TX. The name on the account was Sarah Newlin." I heard audible gasps coming from my companions. Considering that only three of them were human, that meant something. "I also have credit card receipts showing that the money from that account was used specifically to buy silver chains, bullets, and a timing device. In short, Bill paid for Godric's nest to be bombed."

"Yes, well, if that is so, then William will be arrested and held in trial in front of the Tribunal. This does not affect me whatsoever."

"That is true. However, I could also give the Magister the cancelled checks showing that 10 deposits of $5,000 each were made into Mr. Compton's bank account. Checks that were signed by none other than Sophie-Ann LeClerq." She was brilliant. My Ana was a true genius.

"Now, knowing that you sent Mr. Compton to Bon Temps with the hopes of securing the employment of a telepath, it would be feasible that these payments were meant for something relating to that. But, who's to say?" I could hear the slightest sound of triumph in her voice.

"What are you offering, human?" It was not hard to hear that Sophie-Ann was not happy with her current situation.

"You accept our arrangement for the employ of Miss Stackhouse, and you and your personal staff leave the area immediately, and I will not turn this portion of the information over to the Magister. However, he has already been informed of Mr. Compton's betrayal, and will be here soon to arrest him, his maker, and any who come to their aid."

"Sophie-Ann turned her head slightly towards Andre, as if they were having a conversation, although no words were spoken. After another moment, Sophie-Ann turned her attention back to Ana and said, "Very well. We have an accord. Sheriff," she said turning her attention to Eric, "We will be in touch soon to arrange dates when you can bring Miss Stackhouse to New Orleans." She turned and began to walk back to her car, with Andre, Sigebert and Wybert following behind her. She stopped midway, and said, "Compton, you're on your own." They climbed back into one of the vehicles, and drove away.

Now that the worst threat had left, I pulled Ana back to my side, turned to her, cupped her face in my hands and said, "You were brilliant. But don't think I'll forget that you disobeyed me, young lady." She just smiled and winked.

Isabel stepped slightly forward so she could look at Eric and I and said, "The Magister will be here shortly. He has asked that we detain these lawbreakersuntil he arrives. He also said that, should be resist, we have permission to kill." I noticed the triumph in her eyes as she said this. Many of those injured and killed in the nest explosion held dear places in Isabel's heart.

Eric stepped forward, and pulled a long, gleaming sword from its holster on his back and said, "Oh, Compton, please tell me you plan on resisting."

SPOV

Just as Eric finished speaking, all hell broke loose. Lorena grabbed a large knife from somewhere on her leg, and lunged at Chow and Pam. The two male vampires went straight for Godric and Eric, and Bill and Isabel slowly began circling each other. Jason reached over and grabbed Ana's arm, pulling her to us, and then put himself in between the vampires and Ana and I. He reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and pulled out a gun, and held it ready just in case. It was hard to see what was going on with the vampires, because they were all moving so fast.

I was able to just make out the sight of Eric using his sword to behead one of the male vampires, and then throw it to Godric who did the same with the other. Now all that was left were Lorena and Bill. Eric and Godric slowly began to stalk after Bill as if they were enjoying themselves, which wouldn't surprise me at all. I saw Pam trying to sneak up behind him as well, and knew that the chances of him surviving to be arrested weren't good. I was shocked completely as, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lorena grab a stake from Bill's discarded jacket, and ram it straight into Chow's heart. I hadn't known Chow well, and I can't say that I really liked him, but he was fighting in my defense, and I felt a tug at my heart knowing he'd been killed.

I heard the sound of Eric, Godric, and Pam all converging on Bill at the same time, and Bill screamed loudly. Somehow, Isabel must've lost track of Lorena, because she was suddenly in front of us. She grabbed the gun from Jason's hand and threw it away from him, and leaned in to bite him. Just as I was beginning to yell for help, I saw Ana bend down and pull the stake from Chow's now disintegrating corpse, and plunge it into Lorena.

At the sound of my cry for help, Godric and Eric had left Pam with Bill, and came to check on the three of us. Eric asked Ana if she was okay, and she said she was, so he came to check on me. Godric checked on Jason, who was banged up and bruised, but otherwise fine, and then went to see how badly Isabel had been wounded. Eric wrapped his arms around me and held me to his chest, with Jason sitting at our feet trying to regain his composure. Ana took a deep breath, and began walking to where Godric and Isabel were. We were all so relieved that it was over, that no one thought to check on Pam and Bill. Just as I registered the sound of Pam's harsh cry as Bill broke her hold on him, I turned and watched in horror as Bill lunged for Jason's gun, which was only feet from him on the ground, took aim, and shot.

The force of the bullet entering her back caused Ana to fall to her knees, only feet from where Godric and Isabel were. Eric was gone from my arms in an instant, and the three vampires were suddenly at Ana's side. Godric was on his knees and pulled her into his arms, bending her slightly forward to try to determine what, if any, vital organs the bullet had hit. I was so shocked by what had happened, I almost missed Isabel's gasp as she said, "it hit her heart."

Godric gently leaned her back so she was cradled in his arms, and he bit into his wrist and, pressed it to her face and urged her to drink. For as long as I live, I will never forget what occurred next.

Ana shook her head and said, "No, it's too late."

"It's not too late, Ana, you must drink. You are not going to die here tonight."

She lifted her hand to his face. "I'm dying anyway. The tumor. It's growing too fast. The doctor's told me six months ago that they only gave me another 9-10 months to live." She stopped speaking and winced in pain, which caused Eric to grab her hand, and he also urged her to take Godric's blood.

By this time, Godric's wrist had healed, and when he tried to bite again, she used what little strength she had left and grasped his hand and simply said, "No."

"Sookie?" She called out to me, and of course, I rushed to her side. "Take care of them for me. They'll need you now." She turned her gaze from me to Eric. "Eric, do everyone a favor and just tell her you love her already, okay." She tried to laugh, but coughed instead, and blood started trickling slowly from the corner of her mouth.

"Godric, I love you." She opened her mouth to say something else, but her eyes slowly closed, and her head rolled back as if her neck muscles would no longer support it. Eric stood and walked to where his sword was, picked it up, and swiftly used it to remove Bill's head from the rest of his body.

Godric was still cradling Ana's body, whispering her name. "Godric," Isabel said, putting her hand on his shoulder. "Godric, she's gone." He threw his head back and let out a howl of pure sorrow. It was so heart wrenching, I swear I felt the ground shake with the pain of it. And that's when I knew it to be true. Lilliana was dead.