Alcide pulled the truck to a stop in front of a two story house. He looked over to see that Mercy had nodded off. It could only be stress; they hadn't driven that far. No, scratch that, she was awake. He saw her wince, as if in pain.

"You okay over there?"

"Aunt Mercy gets headaches sometimes."

"Migraine?" he asked softly. He could sympathize. He'd gotten them a time or two himself.

"Alright then, little one, how about you come with me, and then I'll come back for your aunt?"

He removed Ava from the truck as quickly and quietly as he could. Debbie met him at the door for the handoff, and he went back to the truck for Mercy. She moaned as he lifted her, and he carried her into the house as quickly as possible. Thankfully Debbie had already turned down the bed in one of the guest rooms and killed the lights. He laid the hurting woman on the bed, and Debbie was quick to lay a cold rag across her forehead and remove her shoes.

"Is there anything else we can do for you?" the she-wolf whispered, kneeling down beside the bed.

"Ava—"

"We'll take care of Ava, don't you worry. You just get some rest."

Mercy didn't answer, instead curling up into a ball. The two werewolves left her alone, closing the bedroom door. Debbie waited until a final check on Ava revealed that the girl had fallen asleep to say anything.

"I thought we were staying out of vampire business. That woman absolutely reeks of vamps!"

Alcide started to speak, and then stopped. Debbie was right; he'd sworn off doing favors for vamps. He wanted to argue with her, and tell her this wasn't like the last time with Sookie."

"This ain't like the last time, Debbie."

"Oh really?"

"Really. Mercy's not Sookie. This woman isn't going around looking for trouble."

"But she's still in trouble, Alcide! And we don't need trouble!"

That much he could agree with. He had enough issues, with the local pack sniffing around. He'd expected to have some interest from the local pack when he moved to Shreveport, but they should be done with their BS by now. It should be obvious he had no interest in the pack, and that he planned to leave them alone. But that was neither here nor there. He'd agreed to help Mercy and the girl stay safe tonight, and that was what he was going to do.

"From what I hear, it ain't her fault she's in trouble. And all we have to do is keep them here tonight. Those vamps didn't ask for anything else."

"And if the local pack come by while this house smells like a vamp? How do you know she's not some V-head?"

"Because the vamp she's bonded to wouldn't stand for it. And there's no reason for the pack to be around here now. It'll be fine, Debbie."

He didn't want to talk about Mercy, or vampires, anymore. He was tired. He just wanted a quick nap before it was time to keep a serious watch for anyone coming. He hoped Godric was right, and that they were safe here. He hoped he wasn't lying to Debbie when he told her they would be fine. Things were finally going well for them.

TB-TB_-TB-TB

Godric could feel Mercedes' pain as the truck drove further away. He placed the blame for her agony squarely on Vincent's shoulders. Stress was the most common trigger for her migraines. He doubted she'd had any of that dangerous human medication on her, and she was too far away for him to give her blood. He wouldn't risk leading Vincent to her.

"Godric?"

"She is in pain, and I can't help her. If this Vincent does come here, I will tear him to pieces for causing this."

"Pain?"

"A migraine. They've almost always been caused by such stress as this."

"You remember that?"

Did he remember it?

Excruciating pain rolled across the bond he shared with Mercedes. He'd only felt this pain once before. If it was this painful for him, it must be nearly debilitating for her. Hopefully she would be less stubborn this time and allow him to give her his blood.

She was already in bed when he arrived at the house the moment his business was done. Picking her lock was no difficulty, and he easily let himself inside. It pained him to see her lying under the pillows, curled up to shut out the world.

"Mercedes?"

He didn't dare speak above a whisper, not when even that made her shudder. He quickly shed his shirt and slid into the bed, pulling her against his cold skin. It had helped last time.

"Take my blood, Mercedes."

When she didn't object, he knew she must be in excruciating pain. He gently tipped her head up before biting into his wrist and offering it to her. She took little more than a mouthful, not nearly enough in his opinion, but she took it willingly.

"I remember it. Small things are beginning to return."

"That's good."

"I remember the night I made you."

He could feel Eric staring at him, as he kept his gaze fixed on the skyline. He was sure he could not have said anything better guaranteed to stun his child into silence, if only for a moment. He knew how much it hurt his progeny that he had no memories of their time together.

Whatever answer Eric might have made was interrupted by his phone ringing again. He answered it, keeping the conversation short, before ending the call and shoving the phone in his pocket. He returned to Godric's side, now agitated.

"Vincent and Compton are both on their way over."

Godric nodded his acceptance. At least it would be settled soon, one way or another.

"Godric—"

"Yes, Eric?"

He turned to his Viking when Eric did not continue.

"I—I would welcome Mercy as a sister, and mother. She would make a fine vampire."

"I rather doubt she would agree with that opinion."

"She would get over it. You can't plan to leave her human and let her grow old and die."

Godric said nothing. He no longer knew what he planned for Mercedes. He'd intended to turn her when he first came back, before she'd evicted him from their home. But now that he knew of the child she was raising? Ava was only five years old. If he turned Mercedes now, she would never forgive him for it, but if he waited until the child reached adulthood, Mercedes would be fifty years old. The difference in physical age wouldn't bother him in the slightest, but it would very much bother his human. He knew she had great difficulty with the difference between them now, when it was only fifteen or so years.

"I could turn her," Eric offered. He would happily do it if it would keep his maker whole and sane. Mercy could hate him all she wanted, but it would be done. Then Godric would have her forever. He need not worry that his maker might choose to meet the sun again when his human died.

"I would not ask that of you."

Godric appreciated the offer, more than he could ever say. But he knew how protective Eric was of his Pamela. He would be just as protective of any progeny he created, including Mercedes. It would kill Erick to turn her and then give her up, and it would end up causing a rift that might well be irreparable. No, if Mercedes was turned, Godric would have to do it himself.

"You should send Heather and any others away. There's no need to involve anyone else in this."

"You expect fighting?"

That would be a definite change for Godric; much more Godric as he had been.

"I wish to avoid bloodshed is possible. But Vincent pursued a human across territorial lines. I doubt he will accept anything less than full confrontation. And if he wishes a fight, I will oblige him."

They waited, tense and ready, as two vampires showed up in the driveway. Godric recognized, from Eric's description, the current King of Louisiana. Bill Compton looked familiar, but it was the other vampire who had Godric's attention. This fair-haired man was Vincent, King of Texas and the reason Mercedes was forced to flee her home. They both looked surprised that Eric stood on the porch, waiting for them. Did they assume that Eric would not be home? Was that why they chose to come when they did?

"Godric?"

Compton sounded surprised to see him. Was he yet another vampire who knew of his meeting the sun? Godric could think of no reason he would know this vampire, but it seemed that Compton knew him.

"But—Sookie said—"

"A fiction, so that Isabel's transfer to authority would be smoother, and so that he might leave Texas unmolested," Eric lied smoothly. Godric was thankful for his child's quick mind. He had no knowledge of this Sookie that Bill Compton spoke of."

"Eric lies!" Vincent hissed, "If that's true then why didn't you know he was in your territory?"

"I only recently arrived to visit my child. I have not yet decided whether to remain and give allegiance here," Godric was quick to answer. He did not believe that Compton would openly challenge him, not if his character was anything like Eric said. He was proven correct when the younger vampire only nodded his head in acceptance.

"Should you choose to settle here, Godric, Louisiana would be honored to have you. But I'm afraid we're here on rather serious business. Vincent claims that you're housing a necromancer who ran from his territory last night."

Eric glared at the blonde haired king. That was the best he could come up with?

"Vincent is mistaken. There's no necromancer."

"I hope you understand that we must verify that ourselves."

"Go right ahead. But hurry it up, please. I do need to get back to Fangtasia some time tonight."

Eric let the two precede him into the house. He could see Vincent's disappointment as they checked room after room, only to find them empty. The fact that there was no heartbeat in the house should have been evidence enough, but like Godric he enjoyed any opportunity to make Vincent look like a fool.

"This room reeks of humans. The whole house does."

"I have human employees."

"Do human employees roll round in your sheets?" Vincent challenged.

"They do when I decide to fuck one of them, or when Pam brings a human home from the bar."

"You're lying."

Eric's fangs dropped, and he took a single threatening step forward. King or not, he would not be challenged in his own home. Bill was quick to place himself between the two. It would look very bad for his rule if a fight between one of his Sheriffs and a neighboring King erupted in his own back yard.

"Eric!"

"The woman has been here, I can smell her! She's the one who brought Godric back!"

"You make baseless accusations!" Godric hissed, his words all the more threatening because they were said so quietly, "I have given explanation for my absence, and it is enough."

"It is not enough! You lie! You are a threat to all our kind, and as your king, it is within my authority to order your execution!"

The younger vampire either didn't notice Godric's own fangs drop, or he chose to ignore the threat, because he continued, "And when I find your little human, it will be the end of her too. I know she had something to do with this."

Godric launched into action without another word. It was one thing to threaten him, but to threaten Mercedes was another matter altogether. He ignored Compton's yelled warnings to stop. It didn't matter that Vincent was a king.

It was over all too quickly. Despite Vincent's attempts to fight back, Godric moved him through the house, slamming him onto the porch. He ignored the younger vampire's clawing at him, which drew blood, as he pinned him down. IT was all too easy to free a wrought-iron pole from the porch railing and shove it through Vincent's heart, staking him. He didn't even react to the blood and gore that now covered him, other than to have the passing thought that he would have to burn his clothes; there would be no saving them.

"Godric!"

He rounded on Compton, fangs still bared. If Compton also made a threat against Mercedes, he would die just as easily as Vincent. HE took in Eric only barely holding back his rage as the glared at his king, daring him to say something.

"I'll have this cleaned up. You should go get yourself cleaned before you go to Mercy."

Godric nodded his agreement and started pulling off his clothes. He could not retrieve Mercedes covered in Vincent's remains.

"Eric, this is not something that can simply be ignored," he heard Compton attempt to argue, "He just killed a neighboring king in my territory!"

"There will be no trace of it by dawn, Compton."

"That's hardly the point! I can't just let this go, Eric! If the Authority finds out-"

"Do what you must, Compton. It is of no concern to me," Godric surprised them both by saying. It was true. He didn't care what Compton did. Vincent might have been a King, but he was less than half Godric's age and he'd challenged him. Unless the Authority was composed entirely of newborn vampires, which he doubted, they would understand that it was intolerable to allow Vincent to live. There might be repercussions, but he was certain they would not be serious.

He left the two on the porch to continue their argument after tossing his clothes onto the ground. HE needed a shower, he needed to feed, and he needed to speak to Mercedes, in that order. After thinking, he would not retrieve her tonight, not when the child was likely already asleep. There had been enough upheaval this past twenty four hours.

He was surprised to see both Eric and Compton seated on the couch, True Bloods in hand, when he returned to the living room. He'd half expected to find that Eric had killed the younger vampire. The Louisiana king was certainly not someone his child enjoyed dealing with.

"The Authority will have to be informed of this," Compton said hesitantly after taking a long drink, "The loss of the Texas king isn't something that can be kept quiet. If it was just another vampire, I might be able to forget it ever happened, but—"

"Vincent issued a challenge. Godric won. The loser's rank is not at issue here."

"Except that as Godric's king, Vincent had every right to do so."

"He was Godric's king no longer! Godric is not a subject of the Texas territory! Vincent brought the fight to Godric, and he got what he deserved!"

"I doubt the Authority will see it that way, and I have an obligation as King of Louisiana to report it."

"You will wait until Mercedes is out of the territory."

It didn't matter if the Authority chose to come after him, but he would ensure that Mercedes was not involved. He did not care for the expression that crossed Compton's face.

"What have you done?"

"Nan Flanagan should be here before dawn. She was contacted as soon as we had reliable reports of a necromancer."

The young king shifted uneasily at the enraged elders before him. Godric fought the almost irresistible urge to tear Bill Compton limb from limb. Eric had explained who this Nan Flanagan was, and Godric had no liking for the woman. He thought Eric's description of her as an "undead bitch" was more than likely deserved. He himself saw only snippets of memory: soft blonde locks and pastel suits for the human public, and slicked back hair and black leather in private. And to be in such a position of power without even a millennium under her belt—no doubt she was ambitious and bloodthirsty.

"You did what?" his child hissed at Bill Compton.

"If I hadn't reported it and Vincent had gone to her, it would have meant all of our heads. I assured her it would be investigated and dealt with, but she insisted on coming."

"Of course she did. The bitch has had it out for me ever since the Fellowship incident. She'll be out for blood."

Of course she would. Godric was half tempted to go to the wolf's home, grab Mercedes and Ava, and take off before the woman could arrive. Or perhaps he would simply end her life tonight as well. HE looked over at the front door when it opened to reveal Pamela, carrying a bucket of bloody water.

"Heather's bleaching the porch now, and that brother of hers is disposin' of the remains."

"Good. Once that's done I want you all out of here. Stay somewhere else for the day."

"Eric, what's going on?"

"Just go, Pam. And take Heather and that fool brother of hers with you. I don't want you anywhere near this house until I summon you."

XXXXXXXXXXX

They were surprised when, less than an hour later, a car pulled into Eric's driveway, and Nan Flanagan climbed out. Eric had expected it to take much longer. Even more surprising was that Nan wasn't alone. She was followed out of the car by the Magister. The woman seemed to freeze when she saw Godric calmly waiting for her.

"I heard you'd died."

"Charming as ever, Nan. You shouldn't believe everything you hear."

He would not settle for this woman's intimidation attempts. She was less than half his age. If he had allowed such from her in the past, he didn't intend to repeat that mistake.

"Magister," Compton stood to his feet and addressed the man who had the authority to order the True Death to any vampire in North America, "I had not expected you to join Ms. Flanagan."

"Nor had I, until she mentioned the possibility of a necromancer. I was quite intrigued at the notion. Godric," he turned his attention from the Louisiana king, "it is good to see that the rumors of your demise proved to be false."

"Hello, Lucian. I am surprised you travel so far for a petty squabble."

His memories of the Magister were incomplete. They had known each other well over the missing millennium. Lucian was almost as old as he. It was possible he was older, since neither knew their true age. What he did not know yet was whether Lucian was friend or foe.

"Yes, well," Godric raised an eyebrow when Lucian actually sighed, "This one had her panties in a twist over the possibility of a necromancer, and Vincent's accusations. I thought it would be better if cooler heads prevailed. Where is Vincent?"

Lucian's eyes darted to Compton, the only one to shift uneasily at mention of the dead Texan. Godric wanted to shake his head in disgust. The younger vampire would never have survived a true inquisition.

"Mr. Compton, is there something you wish to say? Something concerning the whereabouts of the Texas king, perhaps?"

"And why this place smells like bleach?" Nan interjected, with a black look at the Magister for his earlier remark. Godric almost wished she would say something. He did not remember Lucian being known for his patience with young upstarts puffed up on their own self-importance, which fit Nan perfectly.

"I like to keep things clean," was Eric's smart remark.

"Watch it, Viking."

"Or what? You still don't have the authority to take my Area."

"Eric," Godric gently chided his progeny. The situation was volatile enough without intentionally antagonizing the woman. Lucian watched the scene, his expression deceptively passive.

"You still haven't answered the question. Where is Vincent? And I want to see this so-called Necromancer."

"There is no necromancer. Vincent was mistaken."

"Bring the 'supposed' necromancer to me. I'll decide that for myself."

"You'll decide nothing, Nan. I am the Magister here, in case you've forgotten."

"Of course, Magister. But the Authority is most interested in finding and putting an end to any necromancer. They will want a record of the interrogation."

"There will be no interrogation!" Godric hissed at the woman, "There is no necromancer!"

"Vincent wouldn't' be fool enough to make such a claim without reason!"

"Magister," he barely heard Compton attempt to interject over the roaring in his ears at Nan's threats to his human, "Vincent, like nearly everyone else, believed Godric to be truly dead. When he saw that was not the case, I believe he jumped to a too-hasty conclusion that a necromancer must somehow be involved. However, after a thorough investigation I have come to the belief that there is no basis for his claim."

"Let Vincent explain himself, Compton," Godric stiffened as Lucian interrupted the argument that threatened to boil into violence. "Where is Vincent? I still haven't received a satisfactory explanation for why he's not here."

"Vincent is no more," Godric finally answered. IT was pointless to prevaricate any longer. Nan Flanagan could be easily gotten rid of, despite her posturing, by simply producing an explanation she couldn't disprove. Lucian, on the other hand, would not. HE would simply torture Compton until he got the truth, which would take very little time. The blond woman stared at him incredulously.

"What do you mean, Vincent is no more?"

"I mean," he spoke slowly, as if addressing someone of limited intelligence, "that Vincent has met the True Death this night. He is gone from this Earth."

"Are you actually admitting to killing the King of Texas?"

"He challenged me. He lost. I was well within my right to destroy him."

"He was your King!"

"He has not been my king since I resigned my area, Nan. He was a much younger vampire who foolishly threatened what was mine and challenged me, as you seem to be doing at this moment. Do you wish to challenge me, Nan?"

He could see her shrink before his very eyes. SO, she was fond of issuing threats and posturing, but unable to back it up with actions. Just as he'd suspected.

"Enough Nan. It is my job to deal with these matters, and I will do so. I suggest you keep your mouth shut before Godric shuts it for you."

The woman looked furious, but wisely said nothing more. Godric turned his full attention to Lucian, waiting to see what the other man would say. Lucian would be a match for him, should it come down to a fight.

"Walk with me, Godric."

Godric nodded his agreement, eager to be away from Nan Flanagan and Bill Compton. He matched Lucian step for step as they walked the grounds, keeping an ear out for anyone who might follow.

"You say Vincent threatened what was yours?"

"The human Vincent claimed was a necromancer—she was my human wife. Vincent was more than aware of that claim, and he pursued her out of his territory. In my presence he announced his intention to kill her after he killed me. Eric and Compton can bear witness to that fact."

"You killed one of our own, a King, for a human?"

Godric nodded at Lucian's disbelieving stare.

"Vincent knew the risk."

Lucian looked thoughtful. Godric couldn't remember enough to know whether that was a good sign.

"You put me in a difficult position, Godric. I cannot let pass the murder or a king over a mere human. No self-respecting vampire would do such a thing."

"No self-respecting vampire would let an upstart youngling challenge him and alive. IF there is no respect for age and ability, there is only chaos."

Lucian smiled a not-reassuring smile, before turning around and beginning the trek back to the house.

"True enough. I will not decide this immediately. We will stay the day here. Nan," he called as they reached the porch to see the other two waiting for them, "Inform the Authority that I won't be returning before tomorrow night. Tell Roman that our meeting will simply have to wait."

Everyone could see the retort only barely choked back by the face of the vampire population at being so ordered. She finally nodded and stepped off to make her phone calls.

"Compton, I will expect your hospitality until this is resolved."

"Of course, Magister. I have maintained my family home in Bon Temps. If you would care to accompany me?"