AN: I'm glad you enjoy my story, thank you for all alters and reviews. Some of you are worried that Eric has no chance with Sookie while Godric is all so perfect. Worry not, Eric is charming on his own Viking-like way : )
Thanks for isis . mama and treewitch703 for beta reading this chapter.
Chapter 4
Thinking Hard
SPOV
I woke up a few minutes ago, but I hadn't opened my eyes yet. Last night was filled with revelations and was emotionally exhausting. A big part of my brain was glad that Bill's true colors have been revealed, but the other treacherous part, was sad I could no longer live in a fool's paradise. Blissful days were over for me.
After another quarter of an hour of musing on my life's changes, I decided it was time to pull on my big girl panties and I dragged myself out of bed. Actually I almost stumbled from it, having forgotten how big it was. Godric insisted that Eric and I spend the night at his house and I agreed - hopefully this way Eric will spend less money on a hotel suite.
When Bill was bargained in my name, negotiating terms of our deal, I was ashamed of the amount of money he demanded.
I was aware that Lafayette was alive because Eric wanted to have something to...keep me hooked in. My friend would have been dead if I weren't a telepath, useful one way or another to the Viking. A quick glimpse into Lala's head showed me what the other prisoners went through and clearly, what was really surprising, Eric had gone easy on him. Part of me was whispering that maybe he did it with the sole purpose of not upsetting me and the other was pointing out that Eric was a manipulative bastard and would do nothing for free.
Moaning, I laid down on the bed again. In addition to the Bill and Eric situation, there was also Godric's proposition hanging over my head. Helping him deal with the Fellowship and drainers would be an interesting way to use my telepathy, but my biggest concern was having to deal with the brutality of the supernatural world. I doubt I would be able to live with myself if my actions would cause someone's death. That was another thing to discuss with Godric - what rules would apply to me and the people I read?
My Gran was always telling me to put my ability to good use, but I simply had no idea how to do it. I started to work at Merlotte's and I got stuck there. I told myself that I didn't try going to college because Gran needed me, but the truth was that deep down I was too scared to face the big scary world.
Now, Gran was gone, Jason started to work on his own life, my friends were turning their backs on me because of my relationship with Bill... What was holding me in Bon Temps? My house? Maybe, but if Godric would be willing to pay me for my help, even with that little bit of money, I guess I would be able to pay taxes and keep it in a good condition…or... I could rent to Hoyt, who desperately wants to be free from his mother's grasp. I sighed heavily. I was getting ahead of myself, I haven't even considered Godric's master plan and I was already thinking about renting out my house!
My thoughts were interrupted by a soft knocking on the door, I quickly looked around the room for something to wear. I was promised that my suitcase would be brought to me in the morning, but looking around the room, I didn't see it. Hanging on the door was a bathrobe, though. Well, not a bathrobe it was more like a… dressing-gown or some kind of kimono. I have never had much truck with fancy clothes, usually wearing things from Wal-Mart or a thrift shop, but the long, beautifully decorated piece of clothing with purple and orange flowers, was clearly expensive. Currently I was wearing nothing more than my underwear, my dress shredded by Gabe's pawing, so I decided to leave my musings for later and put it on. Someone was waiting at the door after all.
Reaching out with my telepathy, I found out it was Godric's dayman, bringing me my things. His thoughts weren't very pleasant.
"Jeez… What's taking the bitch so long? It's almost noon."
I opened the door carefully and smiled gently. "Yes?" I asked, measuring him with interest. He was short, only a few inches taller than me and rather… plump.
"Ma'am, my name is Emile," he spoke with a strong French accent. Funny, considering that in his thoughts, it was barely there. "Master ordered me to bring your things."
"Well, thank you…" I smiled again, hoping for the same in return, but Emile was pretty grim. His thoughts told me that being a delivery boy was beneath him. "It's very nice of you, especially since I can tell that it's not what you usually do. You're one of Godric's most trusted men, aren't you?"
This simple statement earned me a lot of credit. He even smiled at me gently, thinking that maybe I'm not only pretty, but smart, too. Well, thank you Emile.
"Yes." He stood straighter with pride in his eyes. "Master Godric trusts me. Please, let me put this in your room."
I took a step back to make room for Emile to enter, reading from his head that he was in fact, trustworthy. An almost childlike adoration for his Master was streaming from his mind and I had to smile at him again, happy that there was someone who respected Godric so much.
"Thank you very much. I apologize for my attire. All my things are in here." I pointed at my suitcase, painfully aware that I am wearing nothing more than my underwear and a silk robe. The man was tactful enough to lower his gaze, but I caught that he believes I have nothing to be ashamed of. I kind of liked him already.
"No problem, ma'am."
"Please, call me Sookie. Can I call you Emile?"
"Of course…" A little blush appeared on his cheeks. "There's a breakfast, lunch… well food downstairs in a kitchen. I can order it to be delivered here…"
"There's no need." If there were any humans, I could already start listening if everyone is as reliable as him. "I'll get ready and be downstairs in… twenty minutes?"
He nodded his agreement, but he was unsure somehow. "But, the house is big…" he trailed.
"I will find my way," I assured him, but he seemed to not be convinced. I heard that this way he will not follow master's instructions, and the last thing he wants is to disappoint Godric. I didn't know what his instructions were, but I decided to go easy on him. "Well, if you want you can wait for me. I'll be quick." His relief was visible as he mumbled his thanks.
I went to take a shower and allowed myself to think about my situation once more. It is a given that I will help Godric with the Fellowship, but other things need far more consideration on my part.
GPOV
Waking up for a vampire isn't similar to anything that humans experience when waking up. There was no lazy stretching or hazy moment of limited awareness. One second we were dead and the next we were completely conscious.
Today, the first thing my brain noticed was laughter. No one in my nest had such melodious laughter and I instantly knew it was Sookie. I listened more carefully and almost groaned hearing, Marina, my housekeeper, who has been serving me for over twenty years, telling her a pie story. The pie story.
"I was shocked – why would a vampire want to learn how to cook, God help me? But he said, it's interesting to embrace human customs."
"And what? Was the pie bad?"
"Bad? Dear girl! He clearly assumed that the time and temperature in the recipe were only suggestions…" I allowed myself to roll my eyes at this part. At that time, my logic seemed flawless. "Instead of putting a pie in the oven for an hour at 250 degrees, he decided that half an hour at 500, would be the same." That was simple math for me, everyone would think the same.
"Oh…" said Sookie almost sadly.
"Yes. Girl, that pie thrown, would be a deadly weapon." Sookie broke down in giggles again and I smiled despite the fact that the story embarrassed still me.
"You really did attempt baking?" asked my son with amusement clear in his eyes. I looked at him sternly, but he didn't even flinch. There was no way I would be left in peace now.
"You are awake, my child. It's good to see you right after waking."
"I will not let it go," he warned me with a broad grin and vamped to take a shower. I listen a minute or two to the conversation above me and eventually decided to join him.
We took a shower, caring for each other, but there was nothing sexual in our act. Even if we joined together last night, we haven't had sex often. We both preferred female companions and the sexual acts and romantic physical contact between us, were meant to be assurances of our well being. Eric needed it greatly after learning about my suicidal plans.
"When will Nan be here?" he asked drying my hair with a towel.
"Around midnight. We still have a lot of time." It was around four pm. and Eric and I were probably the only vampires awake right now.
"Rasul texted me," murmured Eric weaving his fingers through my hair and styling it.
"Any updates?"
"He suspected Bill Compton to be a procurer, nothing definite, though. Two months ago he heard Sophie speaking with Andre about 'securing an asset before it will be too late'."
"Sookie…" I frowned, drying Eric's chest. "But too late for what?"
"No idea." My child was slightly worried. "Master, according to Rasul, Sophie has a new pet. She is obsessed with her…" He let his statement sink in. "Her name is Hadley and I remember seeing such a name in Sookie's files. She has a missing cousin named Hadley."
That was too much to be a coincidence. That wasn't the only thing that caught my attention, though. "You have file on Sookie?" My son had enough decency to look ashamed.
"Just the basics…" he murmured with a little pout. I let it go, but shook my head at him and that was all he needed to see that I was disappointed. "Do you have light tight shutters in the kitchen?" asked Eric, after a few minutes drying himself and I smiled at his mussed hair.
"Of course, all over the house."
"What do you think about joining our Miss Stackhouse upstairs?"
"She is not technically ours," I answered not hiding my discontent about this fact.
I liked the suggestion about joining her, though, and I put in the security code to close the shutters. Above us Sookie was surprised, but Marina explained to her that I rise early and I like to join them. I realized Eric is rather excited to go and I asked him silently what was making him so… fidgety.
"Well, I thought I was approaching Sookie the wrong way." I smiled at him, happy that my son perceived that his sexual innuendos weren't working too well for Sookie. "I have to put more effort into showing her she is irresistible and absolutely mouth-watering."
That made me worry a little, but Eric's enthusiasm was basically vibrating in the air and I found myself curious about his interactions with Sookie. They surely were an explosive mixture. I may have a chance to see what he's doing right and what's wrong. He will gladly accept my input and maybe, one day we both will win Sookie's companionship. Well, one step at the time…
EPOV
My favorite breather was sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of something hot and sweet smelling in front of her. I was almost sure it was a chocolate, but there was something very spicy in her cup as well, which left me confused.
"Hello, ladies," Godric greeted them. Sookie and an older woman smiled broadly and welcomed him back. The other woman didn't matter for me in the slightest and I walked straight to the little object of my obsession.
"Sookie," I took her hand and watched with pleasure at her surprised face, when I kissed her knuckles. "You look breathtaking."
She truly was. Every item of her clothing was bright, just like her. She was wearing a yellow skirt and white shirt with black dots all over. The only thing ruining her image was a bruise on her cheek. I knew my maker had killed her attacker, but such a quick death wasn't enough punishment for someone who hurt Sookie. Having him in my grip, I would make sure he begged for death.
"I don't know what to think about it. You don't have to breathe," she answered me coldly, but there was an unmistakable blush over her cheeks. She was attracted to me and if Compton hadn't poisoned her mind she would have been mine already.
I smiled at her gently. "I assure you Sookie, there is no hidden meaning. Master," I turned to him and I noticed and felt that Godric was watching us with amusement. "Isn't Sookie enchanting? I believe you called her this yesterday." The telepath blushed further and my maker happily joined me.
"That's true, Eric. Absolutely stunning."
Sookie wiggled uncomfortably in her chair, clearly looking for a good way to answer us, but the cook broke the charm.
"God help me, they are being so sweet to you; your teeth will rot," she mumbled with a strong accent and I immediately wanted to rip her head off. Who the hell did she think she is to make any kind of comments? My murderous intention was cut short by Godric gripping our bond firmly and I clenched my jaw with anger.
"Thank you, but I know what you're doing." Sookie actually scolded us. Another man, some funny round human walked in and almost fell seeing us standing there. I noticed Sookie's lips twitched, so his thoughts were clearly amusing.
"Master Godric and…" he looked at me looking for the right words, but Godric interrupted him.
"I thought we discussed this, Emile – stop calling me master, that's very unsettling."
That statement was surprising. Godric deserved all the respect in this world, especially from a human.
"Sorry," he mumbled. "I left only for a moment. Sookie… that is, Miss Stackhouse, wasn't left alone."
Sookie giggled suddenly shaking her head. "Emile, please, stop panicking. Would you like some blood?" She asked us and I swear my fangs almost popped out at her proposal. She wasn't offering her vein, but that was a sweet fantasy of mine. Naked Sookie lying on a bed, cocking her head to one side and asking me if I want to feed on her. Now, I was forced to calm not only my fangs, because another part of my anatomy was popping as well.
"Thank you, little one, a bottle for me. Eric?"
I only nodded, trying to banish naughty pictures from my head. We waited patiently for Sookie to heat the bottles and serve them to us. I noticed she did it very professionally, not forgetting to shake them, but she was waitress after all.
"Sookie, you have to know I trust Marina and Emile completely…"
"You have good reason to," she confirmed smiling gently. "They would never betray you." Through our bond I sensed my maker's pride, maybe for Sookie, maybe for his loyal servants.
"Did you have a chance to meet others working here?"
Sookie's face fell at that question. "Well, yes, but maybe we can go to take a shower first?"
I choked on my blood and Godric's face showed his shock. Shock was fast replaced by understanding when we realized what Sookie is trying to say. Clearly, there were bugs in my maker's house.
"Of course, lover." I held my hand out to her but she ignored it, squinting at me. "I will wash your back for you."
"Eric!" She smacked my arm. "Don't be bad."
"Oh, I can be bad in a very good way."
GPOV
The second we closed the doors to the bathroom, Eric vamped to the shower and turned the water on. "I can sit there," he pointed at the closed toilet "and my lap is yours to exploit, Sookie."
"Remember – stabbing, something wood, your chest," she told him firmly, but I saw a hint of amusement in her eyes.
Sookie turned to me worrying at her lower lip. It was time for serious conversation and clearly she didn't have good news. "Do you remember the guy who was fixing air conditioners last month?" she asked and I nodded to that. "Well, he was working with the Fellowship."
"How do you know this?"
"Because, Ervin, the gardener gave you his recommendations…and he knew."
I felt anger and disbelief building in me. There was no way that Ervin was a Fellowship spy. He had worked for me even longer than Marina and was rather old for a human. Why would he betray me now?
"Do you have any details?"
Sookie sighed and sat at the edge of the bathtub. "Well, first, before I will tell you anything, I need to know what will happen to people I identify. I will not have humans… or vampires killed because of me."
I felt something that could only be an 'I told you so!' emotion coming from Eric.
"I understand," I answered her. Not only finding a good way to deal with Sookie's conscience was very important to me. But also, I wished not to kill any more humans. "Depending on the situation, we will either glamour them or hand them to human authorities."
"And…" Sookie swallowed hard. "If, and I repeat, if, I decided to help you with…other staff, will you give it to me in writing?"
"Of course, so far you have my word and I don't go back on my word."
"Fine." She took a deep breath. "Two months, ago his granddaughter was attacked. She lives in Jackson, she went missing for over a week." The telepath bit down on her lower lip again and I saw some disgust and fear in her eyes. I barely refrained from taking her in my arms and I noticed my child stir a little, too. "Well, she didn't remember who did this to her, but there were marks and other evidence. You know, she didn't remember the face, but she knew perfectly well what happened to her. Do you understand?"
"I do, little one. I'm sorry for her."
"The police knew it was a vampire, but here are many vampires in Jackson. It kind of… broke Ervin a little. He respects you, but he started to wonder if, you know…someone erased his granddaughter's memories so maybe here, at night some bad things happen as well."
I couldn't blame my old gardener for losing faith in our kind. Meanwhile, Sookie took a deep breath to continue. "He contacted the Newlins to ask them to… investigate. All these bugs were meant to be an assurance that people aren't hurt in your home by vampires." She looked at me almost pleadingly. "After you were gone he was crushed that it was his fault. He even wanted to confess, but was too scared that others would not let him live." She frowned and murmured under her breath. "Especially Stan."
I looked at my son, who was angry. It was hard to discern the reason behind his anger, though. Me being betrayed, Sookie being upset? "Please," I looked back at Sookie, who put a hand on my arm. "He made a mistake and regrets it. Be compassionate."
"Don't worry little one…" I allowed myself to come closer to her and kissed her forehead gently. "I will."
AN: Next time, the first step – how to deal with Newlins?
From now on, chapter will be longer. I have more free time : )
As always, I'm dying to see what you think. Please, leave a review and let me know.
