*With this chapter I venture into truly unknown territory. Whether Bill will be truthful with Sookie about his teen-age 'daughter' and how Sookie will react is up for grabs in Alan Ball's wild wacky world. This is how I would like to see it play out.

Bill walked quietly into the kitchen where Sookie stood gazing out the window. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, surprised that she didn't startle.

"I heard the trapdoor." She said, leaning back against him. Bill buried his face in her hair, inhaling the warm, musky scent, breathing with her although he had no need. They stood together that way for a long time.

Bill broke the silence. "Darling, I have to tell you something." He didn't let go, but held her even closer.

Sookie must have sensed the apprehension in his voice or in the embrace because she turned within his arms to face him. "What is it?"

He swallowed hard and thought of praying. He often wondered if that avenue was closed to him forever. Sometimes he thought not, God being a God of grace, but tonight, recalling the tribunal and all it had wrought, eternal damnation seemed inevitable.

"Bill, you're scaring me." Sookie pleaded. "Whatever it is, just tell me."

He took both her hands in his and led her to the small table. This could be it. This might very well be the last time she allowed him to touch her. Bill took a moment to gaze at her face and gather strength. "I need to tell you what happened at the tribunal." He began. "When I staked Long Shadow it was a grave infraction of Vampire Law. You have to understand. Not all vampires want to assimilate. We have our own laws, our own system. We have governed ourselves for centuries. To some of those in power, human life is of little value. The fact that I was protecting you by killing him means nothing to them." Bill went on before she could interrupt. If he didn't get it all out at once, he might never get it out at all. "The magistrate is cruel. He was harsh with me. He is ancient and extremely well-versed in the art of torture and punishment and very talented in picking the worst possible penalty for any individual."

Sookie had gone pale and held his hand tightly. Her eyes never left his face. "And for you? What did he do to you, Bill? Tell me!" She demanded.

"He...the magistrate, knew that I had never been a Maker. Since I had reduced our ranks by one in killing Long Shadow, my punishment was to turn someone...a girl." Bill choked out.

"Turn?" Sookie questioned. Then the meaning dawned. "Oh my God. You killed her?"

"I took her human life, yes." Bill nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Had any other alternative been afforded me, I would have taken it gladly."

Sookie wrenched her hands away and stood, turning her back. Now she would leave, Bill thought. She should leave. I am a monster.

"I need a moment." Sookie said. She walked through the house and out onto the porch. He followed only as far as the doorway. If she wanted to go, he would not stop her. Sookie stood bracing herself on the porch railing, letting the night breeze ruffle her hair. The scent of her came to him and he ached to touch her. He wished he could see her face, could know what she was thinking.

"Who was she?"

"She is called Jessica. I do not know her family name."

"How old was she?"

"I am not sure. Sixteen, seventeen..."

"How did they get her? Her parents must be frantic."

"She snuck out of the house. For a party or some such thing. They grabbed her, brought her to the tribunal. I don't know what their original plan was, but the magistrate decided to use her to punish me. If I had refused, they would have turned her anyway, or simply killed her."

Sookie turned around. "What happened to her?"

Bill stared at her. He thought she understood. "She is a vampire."

"I know that." Sookie said sharply. "Where is she? Don't vampires have to stay with their....makers? At least for awhile?"

"She is with Eric. I...I asked him to take her so that I could return to you." Oddly, telling Sookie this shamed him almost as much as the fact that he had turned the girl.

"She must be terribly frightened by what's happened. Shouldn't you be taking care of her?"

Bill gave a bitter snort. "I assure you, she is anything but frightened."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," He ran a hand through his hair. "She likes it."

"What?"

"Being a vampire. She's thrilled. She can't wait to go kill people. I have truly created a monster. One whom I am not at all sure I can control."

"Oh, Bill." Sookie hung her head. "I have to think about this." She said softly. Her eyes met his. His pain and fear must have registered because Sookie came to him, taking his hands back in her own. He was amazed. She wasn't angry. She hadn't run away. This certainly wasn't the reaction he had expected. He stared at her in wonder.

"I am so sorry this happened to you because of me." Sookie stroked his face. "You hate yourself for what they made you do. You thought I would hate you, too."

The rush of emotions threatened to overwhelm him; shame, regret, relief. He leaned forward into her embrace and held on as tightly as he dared. Sookie's shirt became damp with his bloody tears. Her hands stroked his back as if he were a child she was comforting.

"I don't hate you." Sookie soothed. "This all happened because you saved my life. Long Shadow would have ripped my throat out and the others would have stood by and watched." She took his face in both her hands and gazed into his eyes. "You saved me. This happened to you because of me...how could I hate you?" She kissed him gently.

He surely did not deserve this compassion, but he would take it. He would take it and treasure it like a jewel.

Sookie stepped back. "I love you." She said. "But I can't stay here tonight. I need some time by myself."

Bill nodded. He kept her hand as she walked to the porch steps, then leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow?" Despite his best efforts the question crept in.

"Tomorrow." Sookie assured him.

He watched her walk down the path until she disappeared among the gravestones.