PART THREE

Chapter 8

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation and I….take blame for that which you have become. And for what I myself has become as well. And with our separation looming….I believe you, Nora were the only one of the three of us that was able to cling on to their humanity as well as you have done. And so that is something I am grateful for. But for the two of us, there surely is much work to be done if we are to evolve to being better. Especially if we are to one day mainstream….tomorrow night you are leaving us and we have a mission that we intend to take on. I long ago promised vengeance for him for what happened in the past and I intend to keep my promise. Whispers of their whereabouts over in Europe have been confirmed by some I know."

"You two are really doing this, going over to find the wolves, the one responsible for the massacre of his family?" Nora said, knowing that they had talked about it but she hadn't a clue they were seriously going to go. All she knew for ceria was that she was departing them and they would leave for parts unknown. Well, those parts were known now.

"I always had high hopes for the both of you and have not been let down. Save for my own failings. And I promised some time ago I want to bring him back to the man I would like to see him as being. That the pain and anger combined with that which literally changed him has all but stifled out some of what I admired about him. After this mission, I have plans for him….to help restore his humanity and trust me, Nora, I take nothing lightly about my methods. Everything I plan on doing is for the best." Godric turned to the Viking. "I feel for you for the dreams that trouble you and that you have even a spark of regret is something I will have fan to bring back in you. You are neither damned nor lost….yet. But what we are about to embark on, it will be a test and from there….." he trailed off and shook his head, turning the conversation back to his other progeny. "We have only one last night here and tomorrow night you depart for your new life. Let us enjoy one last hunt…..and as mush as I know he doesn't have much of a taste for it, let us search for perhaps a deer or two. Still does the job." and neither he nor Nora could resist at laughing at the ever so slightly amused-slash disgusted look on Eric's face, knowing he only preferred drinking for the source. Preferably a voluptuous, curvy blonde with fight in her.

Chapter 9

It had been a solemn affair at first, no emotion showing as she departed for her new life. And as he watched their maker release her, the Viking wondered if he would ever have that befall him. He both wished and feared for it to happen. Nora had somehow helped him see that perhaps he wasn't a lost cause. That perhaps there was hope for him, that he could reclaim humanity that he had first been all too eager to shed. That he had savored being a monster for a time, cared nothing for those he killed and attacked was undeniable. And even today he still thirsted for a fight, hoping that there would be more bodies. But there remained that part of him, that goodness, that caring part that was refusing to be snuffed out. And though he knew that certainly he had become a monster, the question remained of there could be any coming back from that or at the least, could there be a balance of his former and present self. The fact that he knew he had become a monster was something that unsettled him, though he had buried that troubled thought for some time. Before she had departed his sister had wished for him to fins what he was looking for, something he wouldn't admit to anyone, stubborn as he was. That she wished him to find love and happiness was something of a foreign concept for him and he had been skeptical in her wish for him. But he hoped somehow, that he could be redeemed enough to find just that.

And it was after the two had located the wolves that had helped the then unknown vampire kill the Vikings family that there would be yet another parting of the ways, the older vampire having gleaned some further information to pass on to his progeny. Information that would eventually lead him to know the identity of the vampire responsible. The night the two parted was one of change, yes, but it was a challenge set forth by Godric to his progeny.

"You have what you need to survive and this night we part ways. You need to strike out on your own and make your own way in the world. And I will not be releasing you this night…not in the way you think. I am commanding you as your maker to go out there and live your life as your own, do what you need to do to make it. Without blackening your soul as I did mine. We are damned, but I still have hope for us that salivation can be found. And I will never be far from you." Godric pressed a finger at where the Vikings still heart rested. "And I will always feel you through our bond. But I think this is the best for the both of us, to see the world...you have the information, the name, of the one who killed your family. I advice you to bide your time and wait for the right time. Then and only then can you find justice. But I beg you not to stoop to the level he has. He is much older than you are and only by being clever and getting hemp from friends I hope you someday have can you free yourself of the burden you carry. Of the pain. don't do anything stupid. It can only get you killed."

The Viking was visibly shaken at the prospect of their separating but he couldn't disobey his maker's wishes. That he wasn't to be released in the way he had thought was both disheartening and a relief. That their connection would remain intact he supposed was a good way. But then again, he felt like he remained on a leash and as he was trying to better himself somewhat, to evolve, it begged the question if that was even possible. "I….. can not promise I wouldn't do what is necessary to avenge my family they need to be avenged…they need to-

"You need to rejoin your own progeny back in the states. You and I will meet again. But you chose well in your first progeny. And I like the fire and the loyalty she has towards you. I saw it in our first, brief meeting. She will help you in more ways than I ever could. But we need to part ways. I need to decide on my future, to try to atone for the things I have done. And I wish to do it apart from you. I know this is difficult for you but know that there is love between us that will never perish. And I am proud of my decision to make you. I would do it again in a heartbeat. You and Pam, you two are something special and I see great things in your future. She will keep you in line when I can't be there to do so. Not a easy job." Godric attempted a joke, but the Viking remained stoic and silent.

"You trust me out there in the world…..that I can do…right….that I-"

"I can only hope and pray that the recent years have been a learning experience for you and I know that there is a good and decent man in you somewhere. And I made Pam promise that that is not to be allowed to be squashed. I want to repair the monster I created in you and myself."

There was a long silence before the two embraced and shook hands and then there he stood, alone and yet not. The hope for a future resting on the battle of good and evil that stirred within him and whatever semblance of a soul he may or may not even possess. Whoever managed to give him the light, the capacity to feel again, to at least tame the monster, he knew he would be eternally grateful for.

Chapter 10

Present day

He had thought back on the trying times he had endured and there were many, considering his age. That he had fallen down into the darkness so many times, that he had succumbed to the monster within wasn't lost on him. And yet, it was his new, albeit unorthodox family that had now. He had, of course gotten his vengeance for his long dead family. And he had, still done terrible things. The monster within was never truly going to be gone. But fate had still tried to tear him apart and after the brutal slaughter of his first love in France he had closed himself off again, gone somewhat cold and heartless. Until he got to know the girl in the white dress that had entered the bar with Bill that one night. Try as he had to fight it, he had come to care about her. Deeply. And though at first he had only wanted her for her abilities and perhaps a taste now and then, getting closer to her had done something thought impossible. He had become able to love again. The two would go on to have their darker moments, fighting and the like. But if not for involving himself with her so intimately, who knew where they would have wound up. Series of events that had unfolded had not only blessed them with a daughter and the resurrection of the patriarch of their family. And it was here at the bar that the two were speaking candidly, over some synthetic blood that a reluctant and yet grateful Eric was willing to partake with his maker.

"it's been a…interesting last few years especially….." he said after the club had closed. Though it hadn't been too long ago that Godric had released him finally, once and for all, their bond was stronger than ever and their views on their lives now were greatly altered. But for the better. Godric had long since left his regret behind him and was glad to have another chance at a long, long life. He had done some good things over the recent years, saving human lives from other vampires and being something of a supernatural superhero. And as such, it had helped give his life new meaning. To say nothing of seeing how his sole surviving progeny thriving. With a family no less.. Miracles certainly did happen.

"You still see yourself as a monster? I know you've still done some things I would have frowned upon when I was dead dead. And I look back at your vendetta against Edgington….that creature would have gone on to slaughter over and over..… one would have been safe from him so long as he walked the earth. In retrospect I see that you really had no other choice. Knowing he targeted Sookie and never would have let her live a moment's peace…..I admit I was wrong trying to convince you to be merciful and I realize now he deserved none." he paused. "That being said, your temper….it is still something that can lead to more trouble….that your powers have evolved even beyond own and that you can change into that…beastly form…"

"I have only had that happen once and will not let it happen again unless I have no choice. And yet, there are times I want to call upon that power and do what I want to. Who could stop me? There is that dark part of me that you helped create that I am not sorry you helped bring about in me. It has helped me save my loved ones and I wish I had had that when I was human, that I perhaps could have helped save my loved ones all those centuries ago…." he looked sideways at his companion. "Honestly, as much as you helped me, as much as I am grateful for everything you done and tried to do for me, to save me from my own devices, it has been she who saved me…in so many ways." they sat a moment as she emerged from the office with their fellow family member. Sookie and Pam were chatting about the evening's profits, which had only kept increasing over the past years and though she herself worked at the bar every now and again, Sookie had become more of a presence here than she had ever before. Even going so far as dressing a sexily as Pam did. She said it was her outlet to put the "good girl" she was aside now and again and she was there enough, seen enough for the clientele to know she was hands off for them some had unfortunately learned the hard way not to touch or leer at Sookie. And though he had promised not to kill anyone, Eric had glamoured and beaten a few human guys here and there and as for the vamps who had tried coming on to Sookie….well, they were beaten badly-in private-with the vow that they would not be as lucky should it happen again. And since those times, Sookie had been able to work in peace. Not that she hadn't showed her defensive moves. And as such no one-hardly anyone, anyway-was foolish enough to mess with any of them. For the consequences were made well known to those who were tempted to try any funny business. And as the club was very much a family business, there was certainly more than enough of them to defend one another from unwanted behaviors.

"Aw….is it boy's time now? Looks like we interrupted some guy talk. Nice to nee the bromance ain't dead." Pam said, rolling her eyes and smirking. Meanwhile, the other blonde had come over and was grinning in appreciation of the comment, to which the two men looked at each other, brows furrowed.

"Don't worry, we know all too well you're both straight, though I suspect that there was a time in your past when you-" Sookie went to make a cutting remark, stopped by the amused look on Godric's face as they took in the look on Eric's face. Enough said, it wasn't like it was any secret that the two had been closer than close at one point in their time together. It certainly wasn't uncommon and the thing that mattered to her was that he was certainly very much into her now. "So….anyway, if you are ready, I would love to get out of this outfit. Forgot to bring a change of clothes." she said gesturing to the black and dark purple corset and thigh high skirt she wore. She had drawn the line at wearing pumps like Pam did and as such she wore black boots on her feet. Not that they weren't still sexy in their own way but seriously, she wanted to tear herself out of this outfit and get into some pajamas. ASAP.

Epilogue

`After bidding each other goodnight, they all returned to their own homes and as they flew home, she had noticed he was uncharacteristically silent during the short flight and even when they were safely ensconced in their home, the living room, she noted he seemed to be in a rather furtive mood. "Hey….look I was only kidding before, I didn't mean to-" she was stopped as he turned from the foot of the bed he sat at, she returning form the bathroom. He looked at her with yet another troubled look and yet there was something like relief there too. She could feel he was relieved and worried at the same time and so she sat beside him. "Talk to me…."

And talk he did, revealing the conversation, the reminiscing that he and his maker had had that evening while the two had been going about their business. Finally, he finished and sighed. "There was a point in my life that I thought I wanted to embrace thermostat I became…hell, even when I was human, the bloodlust was there. And yet there was that devotion to my loved ones. And that I had a span of time where I know what a….well, monster I was and still can be even today….why do you stay?" he asked pointedly, looking at her. "I've done terrible things and I wish I could undo those things…most of them anyway….."

She pursed her lips and she gave him a soulful look. "I never would have gotten mixed up with you if I didn't think there was hope. If I didn't think, know, that there was decency in you. I saw it when we first met and the longer I got to know you….well, I admit my thinking was clouded by being with the completely wrong person to begin with…..not that I didn't love Bill. I mean, he and I wound up being friends and I still miss him….but that I was stupid to see what you were capable of. I know you've led a hard life….I know how suffering made you what you were….can can still be. And I have to be honest, even with me being what I am, sometimes I am afraid of what you may do. But I also trust you wouldn't hurt me. I know what you were talking about with Godric tonight, reminiscing about your time together, your worries, and honestly, I don't see the monster….I see you as being…you. A mix of the sweet and the savage. And you have come a long way I know for sure."

He seemed to perk up at her words and stared off into the distance, almost boring a hole through the flat screen TV in their room. "I am grateful for the gifts you have given me, what those before I met you gave me….it was a struggle for me to get to a good place. But I think….I hope I am in a good place. There is a balance I think I need to keep for I do fear about falling backwards, losing everything all over again. You have given me meaning to my existence, as mush as Godric did. But in a different way. I can't explain it but…."

"You don't need to say anything…..just….relax." she said as she pulled him over to lean against her as she started stroking his hair gently and they remained as such for some time, both lost in thoughts about what had been, what was and what could be. That things could be good and bad was testament to the balance that they both had had to find with their abilities and they knew they needed one another of they were to survive the calm, sometimes riled up waters.

THE END