A/N: So here's another chapter. Nothing terribly exciting except for the return that so many of you have asking for. Lol sorry for teasing it's not Godric, it's Eric! Enjoy!

Chapter 12

Sookie POV

Sookie watched in terror from the bedroom window as her brother disappeared into the forest. She clutched her arms tightly around her belly, as though the action would somehow hold her together. She had no idea if she see would ever see her brother alive again. She held no delusions about that, she knew from first hand experience, that what Jason was up against was stronger and deadlier than anything he could possibly fathom. She crumpled to the window sill, pressing her face tightly against the glass. She strained her eyes to see anything. Even the slightest indication that Jason was alright, but there was nothing to be seen, but the dark silhouette of trees. Sookie lowered her shields, planning to follow Jason's mind, but she was assaulted by a tidal wave of anguish, fury, and confusion. She collapsed to her knees under the onslaught of so many minds bombarding her, unable to differentiate one from another in the cacophony. She began clawing at her own head as she struggled to once again raise her shields into place. She was able to accomplish it, but the strain left her curled in the fetal position, and completely soaked in sweat. She quickly found that though she was again alone with her own thoughts, it wasn't that vast of an improvement. Jason was out there in all that, he could be hurt, dying! If he died out there tonight it would be because of her! Because she she was nothing but a freak. Images of Jason being torn apart by the wolves, drained by one of the vampires, of seeing his cold dead eyes looking up at her invaded her mind. Jason's life would be so much better if she had never been born, her entire family's lives would have been better. Her momma wouldn't have felt frightened by her own child, her Gran would still be alive, and Hadley wouldn't have to go to such extremes to feel loved. The damn that she'd constructed around her pain collapsed under the sheer weight of it all. There just wasn't any strength left in her, no will to fight anymore, and she dissolved into tears. She was nothing more than a defeated, broken, hollow shell.

Sookie lost all track of time as she lay there, struggling to find the will to get up, to try, but she was overpowered by this overwhelming sense of hopelessness. Even if she survived today, something else would inevitably come for her tomorrow. How does someone keep fighting when there's no end in sight? When there's nothing to be gained, save more suffering? Sookie didn't know, and that's what kept her trapped there on the floor of her childhood bedroom.

More time passed, and sounds began to filter in from the yard below. She wanted to get up and see what was going on, but fear held her back. Fear that Jason wouldn't be out there, fear that he would be, and she would be just in time to watch as he died to save her. So much fear it was literally suffocating her. Sookie clutched at her neck, as her body demanded air, but her actions were useless. Her heart slammed madly in her chest, and pinpricks of black started to dance in front of her eyes. Just as she thought she would pass out, images of Godric rose from the depths of her mind. Godric's tender hand cupping her cheek, the feeling of his ardent fingers stroking her skin, the look of endless love in his eyes, just fleeting visions and sensations, but oh how powerfully they washed away her fear. Sookie gasped in a breath, and another as her heart slowed.

Let them come Bill, Russell, the wolves, let them all come she wasn't gonna wallow in fear anymore. She would face whatever they threw at her, because love was worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. What Hadley had said earlier, about there being worse things in the world than death, that was true. Sookie wouldn't be able to live with herself if she just laid there and surrendered, not when Godric was out there waiting for her to find him. Nothing could be as bad as that not even death. Sookie's eyes found Jason's gun where she'd dropped it so long ago, just inches from her hand. Sookie snatched it up, before pulling herself up off the floor, and made her way to the window. Sookie blew out a shaky breath and peered down to the yard below, but it was empty. Sookie craned her head scanning every inch that she could, knowing that she'd heard voices and movement. She limped her way to the other window that faced the front of the house, still there were was no one, but there were signs that there had been a fight. Sookie could just make out some debris by the steps to the porch, and maybe some roses nearby on the ground. In the darkness of the yard it was really hard to make out, but about fifty yards from the drive there was something that appeared to be. . . goo? She stared at the gelatinous mess curiously, until she realized she was looking at the remains of a dead vampire. Sookie concluded that it had to be Bill, she just couldn't imagine how either her brother or Waldo could manage to kill a 3000 year old vampire. Had Russell and his wolves fled once Bill had been killed? That didn't sound too likely though. So then what? Sookie was hesitant to lower her shields again, but curiosity eventually won. She lowered them slowly, ready to snap them right back up if it seemed like she might get overwhelmed again, but there was just silence. Except . . . one snarling angry brain.

Sookie spun from the window just as the door to the bedroom was kicked from its hinges. Debbie Pelt stood framed in the open doorway, with a crazed look in her eye. Sookie's palm squeezed the smooth, cold grip of the gun. She would have preferred Gran's shotgun, as the handgun felt awkward and heavy in her hand, but Sookie looked down at the bulky cast on her other arm, and she knew it would have to do. Debbie stalked into the room, and the anger rolling off the werewolf left no doubt in Sookie's mind that Debbie was there to kill her.

"I don't want to kill you Debbie, but I will." Debbie laughed.

"Bitch what are you gonna do? Looks to me like you can barely hold yourself up!" She was right Sookie's pain was something fierce, and if it came down to a physical fight the blonde was certain she'd lose. The best she could hope for was the element of surprise, so she made sure to keep the gun tucked by her leg hidden in the billowy fabric of her too large sweatpants.

"Don't make me do this Debbie, stop, turn around, and walk out that door. There's people out there that still love you. You have the chance to make things right, you just need to get off the V, and start over."

"You took everything from me, so don't you dare talk to me about love! What do you even know about it huh? You sleep with vampires and werewolves cause your own kind rejects you, they know you're nothing but a freak! " Debbie lunged at Sookie, but she still hadn't noticed that the blonde was armed. Sookie raised the gun and fired hitting Debbie in the shoulder. The Were stumbled slightly, but still kept coming. Sookie started to squeeze the trigger once more, but before she could fire again Debbie knocked the weapon from her hand. The telepath cursed herself for her moment of hesitation, as Debbie's fist smashed into her cheekbone, and she swore if given the chance she wouldn't make that mistake again. It took all the strength Sookie had, but she managed to rear back her cast covered arm and then whip it forward to crash against the Were's head. Blood poured from where the blunt force had split open Debbie's skull, leaving her momentarily blinded, Sookie took the opening given, and charged knocking the brunette backward, and onto the bed. Remembering what she'd sworn, the blonde instantly scrambled on top of the stunned werewolf, and began pummeling her with punches. Debbie was struggling under the onslaught, but eventually threw the telepath off her. Sookie felt something tear deep inside her as she struck the floor, and she knew she wouldn't survive much longer without medical attention. Instead of fear all Sookie could feel was anger. Debbie now stood over her and Sookie wondered if that bitch's face would be the last thing she ever saw, as she was ripped from the floor and flung into the closet door. Sookie hit with a resounding thud, and slid down the wall to the floor limply. She was quickly loosing consciousness, but she could just make out a soft warm glow coming from somewhere. Her held rolled haphazardly to the side and she could see it was coming from her! Sookie wearily chuckled.

"The thing is Debbie you don't know what my kind is." Sookie willed both her sluggish arms to raise in front of her and blasted the she-bitch with her light. Debbie flew backward and crashed into the mirror.

"I knew you were a fuckin' freak!" Debbie scrambled to get up, but as she fumbled a large shard of glass was dislodged from where it had been precariously wedged in the frame and came slicing down right into her neck. Sookie was only just able to keep her eyes open as she watched the werewolf pointlessly try to stop the spurting flow of blood. She vaguely remembered reading somewhere just how quickly one could die from severing their carotid artery, but it still surprised her none the less. As the flow slowly turned to a trickle Sookie lost her battle to remain conscious.

"Sookie?" Slightly roused by her brother's voice Sookie whispered

"hospital." Even as tentatively as Jason was in picking her up, there was still an explosion of pain, and she swam in and out of awareness. The agony of the stairs, then nothing. The jostling as Jason placed her in the truck, then nothing. The truck jerking and swerving, then. . . the sound of Eric's voice?

"Jason?"

"It's alright Sookie, Eric's gonna give ya some of his blood, and you'll be right as rain."

"No. . . hospital. . . only Godric's blood. . ." Again she blacked out.

"Sookie, Sookie!" Eric face was suddenly just inches from her own. "What about Godric's blood? Why do you smell of him?"

"Not dead. . . lost. . . have to find him again. . ." Sookie was fading yet again, but the tell tale sickening crunch she'd heard so many times had her rallying. "Please. . . no. . . only his. . .only his."

"My blood is Godric's! It is his blood that flows through me, making me what I am. Take it Sookie, if what you say is true, you have to in order to help me find him. I beg you Sookie, take it!"

"For him. . . " Sookie felt the coolness of Eric's skin and she opened her mouth. The cold, thick blood ran freely, pooling on her tongue as she weakly tried to swallow.

"There now that should be enough." Eric cooed as he stroked her hair gently. "Sleep, dyrbar en." Sookie shivered slightly as his arms wrapped around her. "Stackhouse I will carry her back to the her house. It will be faster and less. . .bumpy." Eric shifted her in his embrace until her body was pressed against his and her head was resting on his shoulder. As she felt the wind rush around her she hazily looked around. Holy Crap they were flying! Sookie smashed her face into Eric's neck. Her panic eased as she took in his scent. It was so soothing, she sighed contentedly.

"You smell like the ocean in winter." Sookie felt Eric's arms tense around her, and she instantly felt embarrassed. "I'm so sorry I don't know where that came from." She tilted her head down bashfully so he couldn't look at her.

"Don't apologize, it was just. . . unexpected." Some what appeased Sookie drifted off to sleep. "Sookie wake up." If it wasn't for the unease in Eric's voice she would have ignored him.

"What is it?" His large frame shifted warily.

"The roses, it appears they are sniffing me."

"Huh?" She rubbed her eyes while yawning. Sure enough they were indeed. The branches were stretched to where they were standing, the blooms quivering as they brushed against Eric's legs. They sort of reminded Sookie of a dog, how they have to smell a person at the door. "Well that's weird." She stated flatly.

"Can you make it stop." Sookie found the big viking's fretfulness at the flowers really amusing, and could stop the giggle that erupted from her.

"Is the big strong vampire afraid?" Eric shot her a scathing look, but didn't deny it.

"Down he's okay." She said sticking with the dog theory. It seemed it wasn't a bad one as the roses backed off. "There now all better." She teased patting his cheek.

"I'm glad you find this so funny." Eric returned dryly. Without any more surprises Eric quickly made his way into the house, pausing for just a moment before making a direct path to her new bedroom.

"How did you know, I've only just moved into Gran's room a few days ago."

"Your scent, it permeates the entire house, but while it used to be strongest upstairs, now it comes from this room."

"That's just creepy." Eric shrugged unapologetically, as he placed her into bed. Sookie settled into the lush mattress and pillows, before patting the space next to her. Eric raised an questioning brow, but hopped right up and curled next to her. Sookie sighed exasperated.

"I just meant for you to sit!"

"Hmmm I'm more comfortable this way."

"Ass! Eric seriously we need to talk!"

"I see no problem, we can talk like this."

"Fine, will your blood heal everything? Even. . . even the really bad stuff?" Eric propped his head up on his hand and looked down at her.

"Our blood can do much, but no. It would require too much, and even then you would not be healed completely." Sookie could see genuine sadness in his eyes as he said it.

"What do you mean too much?"

"There's a limit to how much vampire blood a human can ingest before they become nothing, but a empty minded puppet. Some refer to it as being flipped, this is not the same as turning, but a sort of slave to the vampire." Sookie shivered at the thought of how close that sounded to what Bill had almost done to her.

"Eric, why are you bein' so patient? Why haven't you asked me about Godric yet?"

"I know you will tell me. You are not the kind of person to keep something like that locked away, not after what you saw in Dallas."

"You miss him terribly huh?" Eric nodded sadly. "Me too." Sookie stated squeezing Eric's hand. "I'm a little scared to tell you what happened." Eric again simply raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm scared you'll think I'm crazy, heck sometimes even I think that."

"No matter what you tell me, I could never think that. You are one of the smartest, bravest, and kindest beings I have ever met."

"After Bill. . . did what he did I almost died. I lost consciousness and woke up in an empty hospital. I'd thought I'd died, and I was in this, like in between. This voice was callin' to me, and I followed. When I reached the door I was supposed to go through, all of a sudden Godric was there and he stopped me from goin' in. When I looked back the woman I'd seen had turned in this creature. Godric and I ran, and ended up in his area. He said it was were he'd grown up, Gaul I think he said. It was so beautiful there, but Godric was still so sad. He told me that the creature we'd seen was a fairy, and that they were snatchin' away people with fairy blood. We talked for a real long time, and the sun was shinin' above us the whole while. I was so mixed up by everything Bill had done that it took me awhile to notice, but Godric was in the sun! He said that when he'd left the rooftop in Dallas he'd shown up where we were, and the sun didn't hurt." Sookie blushed as she remembered the rest of the short time they'd spent together, and while it meant everything to her, she didn't think Eric needed to know about it. "He told me about how he was turned and what lead up to it, but then my Grandaddy pulled me back. I wanted so much to bring him with me, but I couldn't. When I woke I saw that his tears wear still on my hand. I. . .I missed him so much! I needed to keep a part of him with me, so I licked them from my hand so they couldn't just disappear, so that I could have a part of him forever." Sookie was weeping as she finished. When she finally got the nerve to look at Eric, he had the most excited expression she'd ever seen from him. "You're not mad, you. . . you don't think I'm crazy? Eric looked at her in awe and shook his head slowly.

"I'm not angry, and I don't think you are crazy." He took both her hands in his and placed a kiss on the back of each. "I think you are incredible! My maker is alive. You have given me so much Sookie Stackhouse thank you!"

"I'm glad you're so happy Eric, but I think you're forgettin' we have no idea where he is or how to get back there." Eric laughed, and Sookie wondered if it was possible for a vampire to go into hysterics. "How is that funny!" She shouted and smacked him in the shoulder.

"Don't you understand, you've already answered that! He's in between." He must have finally noticed the look of utter ignorance on her face because he explained. "There was gossip, that the fae had found a way to move from this realm to another, because of their affinity for the in between. Dawn, dusk, noon, midnight. These were said to be when they cask their most difficult magics. And places such as thresholds, intersections, shores, glades, places of power and ritual for them. Where you were was an in between, a hospital, a place between life and death. A gateway that lead you between realms." That was ridiculous. It just couldn't be right, but the more Sookie thought about it there was a. . . logic to what Eric was saying. Granddaddy Earl had disappeared from down by where the stream divided, but Barry had been in his apartment building. The first fit, but an apartment building? How was that an in between place? Maybe though that was too specific, he could have been in a stairwell, a hallway or even the threshold to his apartment. In fact the more Sookie analyzed it, there were dozens of in betweens to an apartment building. It was now her turn to look at Eric in awe.

"You're a genius. I can't believe you put that together, just from the little bit I told you!"

"It's true." He said without an ounce of sarcasm or humor in his voice, but that was Eric Northman for you not one humble bone in his whole body.

"Ass!" This time though there was just the tiniest bit of affection in the word.

"You love it." He stated confidently. Sookie stared right in to his eyes and saw something there that unsettled her.

"Eric, I love Godric." Whatever that intangible emotion she was seeing was, grew stronger.

"As do I." He whispered, brushing back her hair and placing the most poignant of kisses just below her right eye at the very crest of her cheekbone.

"How do we get him back?" Sookie asked snuggling closer against his lean form.

"I will think of something, I am after all a genius." A smile touched the corners of her mouth, as she drifted off to sleep.