Franklin came to the entranceway eying Tara curiously.

"What the fuck Frank," she knew he hated when she shortened his name that way. "Where was the heads up?"

"I asked you if you were ok to see her," he pointed out uncertain what was bothering Tara.

"At the fundraiser, not in my fucking bubble," he looked around the room in question and Tara clarified, "yea, this is my bubble."

"You weren't ready."

"No," she put an arm over her eyes hating how pathetic she sounded and how she felt. "I wasn't and she's in the same building."

He nodded his head there were very few hotels that were as accommodating to their kind. They went as far as to offer noon snacks in the form of volunteer staff, "It's a popular hotel."

"Why is she here?"

"Most likely the fundraiser. I think you handled it well enough if I do say so myself," he shrugged.

"You think so," she moved her arm away using it to lift off the bed needing to see Franklin's face when he confirmed what he thought so she could know if he was lying or not.

He held the same unconcerned expression "Yea," he delivered a bland answer.

"I have to see Godric," she stood heading to her closet to change dissatisfied with what she'd thrown on for Pam's benefit. Choosing a nice shirt and jeans she felt better about her choice and headed out the door and sooner that she would have liked she arrived at the suite door. She knocked once then twice and when she still did have an answer she wondered if Pam had been fucking with her head, that is until the door opened and Godric greeted her with nod of acknowledgement.

"How have you been?" he asked as she followed him into the common room. The design of their suite mirrored Franklin and Tara's except it was bigger to accommodate three guests instead of two. Godric appeared to be alone, but she was still alert eying closed doors that lead to what she assumed where the bedrooms.

"Great," she answered taking a seat after he did and with a gesture of his arm suggested she follow suit.

"I've heard stories," he began slowly his gaze dropped to nothing in particular, but his eyes rose meeting hers when she failed to query about what he'd heard through the rumor mill. "I can't say that what I've heard I'm entirely pleased by."

"I'm not your progeny." She could only imagine the stories and immediately grew defensive upon hearing the disapproving tone in his voice.

"But my blood does flow through your veins Tara. I hold you to a higher esteem because of it, you know that."

She respected Godric. He didn't waste time on useless words and his opinion mattered to her over other elders because he had a peace to him she envied. Some misconstrued it as sadness or boredom, but wisdom emanated off him in waves.

"I know," she stated looking him in the eyes.

He sat back in the cushion of the seat, "I cannot condone killing for money. Life, all life, is precious. Your line of work is unacceptable."

She clenched her jaw retaining a mantra to keep her cool, but it was hard to do when he'd blindsided her with judgment. "What's acceptable?" she decided to ask.

"Everyone has their place."

"And you're going to put me in mine…I thought that was Pam's job."

"That's not what I meant."

She didn't respond swallowing the anger she felt until he said what he truly meant.

"You know Franklin's history. You only put a target on your back. You'll be branded a vampire with no loyalties…you want that?"

Memories from the past swarmed forward as she remembered the sensation of worry because she felt out of place. "I matter," she tilted her head.

"You kill."

"It's not the worst way to make a living. I could be on my back."

"Is this for Pam?" He watched her eyes go to the bedroom doors, "that's your problem you know. You worry too much about what she wants and what she thinks."

"No I don't. Not anymore—this isn't because of her," she lied knowing in part that this was because of her maker. Every moment since her life as a vampire she held onto an idea of Pam that wasn't real. She let herself delve into a fantasy and come out looking like a fool because of it. So, she ran. She ran into a dark and unknown world she happened to like.

"My daughter will never love you."

The part of Tara that suspected this was conveniently absent when Godric shared this truth. She was shocked to hear the words and reacted in kind jolting from her seat to pace.

He didn't enjoy seeing Tara this way, lost. There was so much potential for her to be happy if she could let go of her Pam or rather the idea that she had of her. He was well aware of Tara's love for her. He watched it grow silently without so much as a warning to what lay ahead for the progeny, but he hadn't known he would come to love her the way that he did. How could he when she was merely something his daughter chose on whim and brought home like a stray pet. The pale vampire fully expected Pam to throw Tara away, but she didn't. Tara showed more perseverance than any of the other lovers Pam took to her bed. At first it was cute then slowly pathetic in a Greek tragedy way.

"I know."

He was surprised she could admit it aloud.

"I know she'll never want me," she repeated this time taking ownership of the truth that caused her to run and take up the occupation Godric didn't approve of. "But something strange happened a few minutes ago Godric—she came to me—like a jealous girlfriend who wasn't getting enough attention." She could pretend she didn't like it, but Tara did.

"Tara," he began in warning, "that's not enough."

"I don't think I care about that anymore," she was beginning to realize that she owned the upper hand. Pam wanted her even if the particular 'want' meant complete ownership. Which gave Tara something she had never had before since becoming Pam's progeny, power.