Trading Places
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the True Blood characters (*sigh* unfortunately) but I'm having fun playing with them! I only own my original story plots and characters.
Chapter 6
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ERIC POV
To say I was annoyed was an understatement. The last time I had seen Godric was when I had visited his home and his little blood bag got me in trouble. I didn't even touch a hair on her head. Apparently calling her a 'pet' was unacceptable. Can you believe it? A human NOT a pet? Yet he feeds her and houses her…and he gets nothing in return…or at least that's what I can guess, because when I asked him if he was at least getting blood and sex for his troubles; he dove across his desk and pinned me to the floor, snapping and snarling at me – cursing at me in Old Norse. Obviously, it can't be totally my fault that he was in such a foul mood, so all I can deduce is that she won't 'put out' for him. I had contemplated telling him to just take her by force; but as he had me pinned to the ground, his fangs close to my face… I thought I'd best keep my mouth shut. Then, if you can believe it… he made me apologise … to her! How humiliating. He forbade me to come near her again and told me to focus all my attention to preparing for the great revelation in the next few years.
And now….. NOW… I get a phone call commanding me to come to the house because the bloody teacup was crying and wouldn't come out of her room. GRRR
I have the utmost loyalty and respect for my maker… but this is just ridiculous.
….
Nearing the house I can see my maker pacing up and down the driveway at vampire speed. Not a good sign. Godric was a fierce warrior, a brutal killer, a legend in his own right. Sure, he had mellowed over the years… but I knew Godric. Calm Godric was dangerous… dangerous and calculated. Stressed, angry and agitated Godric was even more dangerous… I knew this all too well. Ok Eric, self preservation = submission. That's all I knew when Godric was like this.
I landed from the air a few feet in front of Godric and dropped to my knees immediately. "Master". I knew from the direct onslaught from our bond that I represented a perfect punch bag. Great. He didn't even reply; instead grabbed the collar of my jacket and dragged me inside. I had to stumble along to stay down low enough as he pulled me along like a child.
"She won't talk to me" he growled; dumping me on the floor of his office. Stay on the fucking floor Eric I chided myself.
"Master?"
"She won't talk to me Eric. Something happened. The pull to her was so strong. I don't know how I knew something was wrong…. I just did. At first I thought she just fell… that's where the bumps and bruises came from… but she won't talk, she won't eat. I can't take it anymore…. All she does is cry every day. She won't go outside her room, she won't go to school. It's been weeks. NOTHING. She does NOTHING and it's killing me" he growled.
"How can I help master?" I asked; keeping my eyes pinned to a fleck of dust on the floorboards.
"You….you're good with human women. You WILL fix this" What? ME. Fix this?
"Master… my skills with human females go no further that fucking and feeding"
"I. SAID. FIX IT" he roared at me, punching a hole into the wall, and I couldn't help but flinch. This was a part of Godric I hadn't seen in a very long time.
…
I sat on the floor panicking. Some big bad ass vampire I was. I was feared amongst the vampire world. I was known as a cut throat ruthless bastard. I was smooth, sexy, collected and cunning…until my maker got mad… then I somehow turned into nothing more than a terrified newborn. Thank the Gods there were no other vampires around to see me like this …
"Eric, you better be thinking of a plan"
Shit
Think Eric…think. "Sookie… the perky blond"
"Damn it Eric…put your dick away and think with your head." He snarled. That was low.
"Master please…..Sookie, she's a friend of teacu….of Roannes"
"Why the hell didn't I think of that? Come."
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Godric POV
Damn Eric… why couldn't I have thought of that. I threw him a filthy look and he recoiled slightly as we sped to the Stackhouse house. I hadn't meant to be so angry with Eric but I was so frustrated with all of this. Roanne was hurting and I couldn't do anything… a two thousand year old vampire completely stumped by a 16 year old girl.
"Master … your fangs" Right.
Knock knock.
"Yeah?" It was Jason Stackhouse.
"Could I please speak to Sookie?"
"Hey you're that weird kid from down the street. Is that your dad?"
"NO" both Eric and I growled together. "Eh…Ok…..SOOKKKK"
"Hells bells Jason… why on earth are you hollering?" The little blood appeared at the front door.
"Oh….Godric….em….hi"
"Sookie…I was wondering if I could speak to you for a moment about Roanne?"
"Oh my god… how is she doing? The poor thing… she won't return any of my calls…I even offered to call over but she won't talk to anyone" She looked genuinely upset and I was glad that Roanne could have such a good friend.
"What happened?"
"Oh… you mean you don't know… then maybe I shouldn't tell…" she faltered as she walked over to the porch swing.
"Ms Stackhouse… I mean Sookie….please… she's very upset and I don't know how to help her. Please tell me what happened"
"Well… hey Jason… go inside and butt out"
"No way I'm moving and leaving my baby sis out here with two strange guys. Anyways… I wanna know what's goin on… Roanne's a good kid… I wanna know she's OK"
Dear Gods talk human before I hurt you.
"Well… there's this boy from school that Roanne likes…" . KILL. HIM. "or liked and… well, his girlfriend has been really mean to us but then the guy… he…he told Roanne he liked her and asked her to meet him after practice… he said he wanted to ….erm….you know…kiss her" is DEAD. "and he tied a scarf round her eyes and…well, he asked her stuff but his girlfriend and all the kids from that group were hiding and watching and they all laughed at her…and I heard she was so upset… but well… she still doesn't know yet… they recorded it and made a little film… apparently loads of people seen it… I'm just… I don't get the liking it vanilla bit, but I thinks it's bad"
By the time she had finished she was beetroot red…I didn't get the 'liking it vanilla' bit either…I wonder if Eric knows?
"Motherfucker….Sook…who did it? What little shit did that to Roanne?" yes little Stackhouse boy…good question.
"It….it was Austin"
How the hell is that going to help me? Austin who? "I'm gonna kick that little shit's ass" and the brother Stackhouse set off for his truck. Perfect. Eric and I can follow him. Eric and I said our thanks to Sookie then we took off after the boy. I assured Sookie I would have Roanne get in touch as soon as I could.
"Eric…do you know what was meant by do you like it vanilla? Was it a human food question?"
I wondered why my son suddenly looked at though he paled a little… if that was even possible for a vampire. I knew he knew. "Answer"
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Eric POV
"IT MEANS WHAT?"
I knew he wouldn't be pleased. We followed the Stackhouse boy as he stopped to round up three other males to go after the Austin boy. I had to admire his bravery and, well, his stupidity… he was fiercely loyal to his sister. I also must say that I like how the Stackhouse girl had blushed when I winked at her. She WILL be mine some day.
…
"Jesus Stackhouse… it wasn't even your fucking sister" the Austin boy whined as blood spurted out of his mouth.
"Don't you talk about my sister like that fuckwad…. 'sides Roanne is just like a little sis to me… so you screw around with either of them… you'll answer to me" Godric and I had been stalking the shadows; watching the little brawl occur.
"Hold 'im fuckin steady Hoyt… This *punch* will *punch* teach *punch* you *punch* not *punch* to fuck *punch* with *punch* Roanne *punch* or Sookie *punch*"
I could feel the anger roll off Godric beside me… this didn't bode well for the Austin boy. OK…time for damage control.
"Master… although I'd like nothing more than to kill him… it might get back to the Stackhouses or to Roanne… you must think of her best interests" I can only assume what I said worked…because he took off faster than I could possibly keep up with. I headed back to the house…not really sure what to do. I wasn't sure I'd been properly dismissed by Godric yet.
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Roanne POV
I hate my life. I hate it here. I want mom and I want to go home. That's all I'd been thinking the last two weeks. I'd been completely humiliated in front of the uber bitch squad. I'd been duped and played like a violin by Austin and I'd embarrassed myself in front of Godric. God…I spoon fed him my blood. He must think I'm a freak. I felt the blood rush to my cheeks again.
I'd been hiding out at home for two weeks now. It was mid May and school would be finishing up soon. I'd likely flunk out but I didn't care. I wasn't going back there….ever. I buried my head under my pillow ostrich style… If I can't see the world the world can't see me.
"Roanne" God he's persistent.
"Roanne… it's me… Godric" Who the hell else would it be?
"I know what happened… I talked to Sookie" Fuck.
"I'm not leaving until you talk to me" You'll be waiting a long fucking time then.
I lay on the bed staring at the ceiling. I was in my cave. I was in my safe little bubble.
[1 hour later] – "I'm still here Roanne" damn it.
[2 hours 25 minutes later] – "Still outside your door" Stay there then.
I went and had a shower… acutely aware I'd gotten a little funky smell going on. I took my time; shaving my legs, plucking my eyebrows, blow drying my hair. I knew Godric would eventually get bored and leave. Throwing my clothes in the hamper I listened for noise…
"Still here" Persistent little know it all
It amazing how uncomfortable one can get, based on the knowledge that there's someone listening to everything you do. It was only after having a shower and getting all freshened up that I realised just how funky my room had gotten… funky…bad funky. I stripped the sheets to let air at the mattress and started cleaning about.
[3 and a half hours later] I wonder…. "I haven't moved Roanne and I'm not going to" Creep.
"Godric, just go already"
"No"
"Yes"
"I'm not going until we talk… even if I get the bleeds"
Damn. I didn't want him to get the bleeds. I walked over to the door but I didn't open it. Instead, I sat down beside the door. A noise outside told me that Godric did the same.
"Ok…talk" Better to get this over with.
"I was so worried Roanne. I went to Sookie to talk to her. She told me about the Austin boy… how he hurt your feelings" Oh my god I am mortified. I buried my face in my hands with embarrassment.
"She…she told me about a video they made… that you might not know about"
Oh fuck. Fuck, fuck…FUCK.
"A video?" I asked, opening the door a little. Godric was sitting on the floor right outside the door; his legs crossed Buda style – but he was anything but zen… he looked murderous. Uh oh.
"You didn't do anything… did you Godric?"
"No… but I wanted to. Eric and I followed the Stackhouse boy. I wanted to rip the little punk limb from limb… but… I realised that you wouldn't want that… you wouldn't want someone dead because of you" Damn straight. "At least the Stackhouse boy and his friends beat him up for you"
"What?" I should have been appalled… but I wasn't…. I was glad of two things… one: that Godric didn't kill for me, although I couldn't help thinking he meant well, and two: that I was glad Austin got his ass kicked.
"Are you alright Roanne? What can I do to make you better?" Godric looked so lost as he asked this. I really just how unfair I'd been… I never even stopped to think how my slump might have affected Godric… and a sick little twisted part of me way glad that he worried so much.
"You've done everything for me Godric… you didn't give up and kept worrying about me. I'm sorry about all this… thank you for being so good to me" and obviously possessed by some sort of demon or virus I leaned over and kissed Godric on the cheek. Snick.
I pretended not to hear as his fangs dropped and headed to the stairs… "let's go make eggs before the sun comes up"
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Eric POV
If I could vomit I would.
I stayed outside waiting for Godric to dismiss me but grew tired and went to his basement… he was pussy whipped, as Pam would put it.
"….he's downstairs. He helped clear up the situation too"
Wait…no no no… don't…
It was too late. I felt the tug on the bond; the silent command to go to him. I trudged up the stairs at human pace. Oh joy… I get to converse to the snotface bloodbag home wrecker teacup.
"Roanne" I said; flashing my best smile.
"Eric"
I looked at Godric…. My eyes pleading to just let me go home.
"Come sit and talk with us Eric" which…given his tone of voice I translated to 'sit your ass down Eric… you're going nowhere anytime soon.
"So em… thanks for not letting Godric kill Austin n stuff" she muffled as she sprayed bits of human food near me. Shooting a sideways glance at Godric, I bit back my comment about her eating style "you are most welcome. Will you now be returning to school?"
"Please no" she begged, looking straight to Godric… I could see him melt at her actions "Please Godric… there's only two weeks to go… I'm not going back there…. I …. I'll go back in September for my final year… please, please" and her tears started to flow. Where's the golden globe for best actress?
"I'll see what I can do…" I don't believe it. She bounced over and wrapped her arms around Godric.
I could feel his relief and excitement. "Eric you can go now" Finally.
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Roanne POV
I can't believe that Godric actually let me stay off school. If my mom was here I'm sure she would have felt sorry for me… but would have dragged me to school kicking and screaming. Godric said he used glamour and that as far as the school was concerned I was ill and had turned in all my assignments…now before you go all judge-y… I helped Sookie to finish her assignments, so in a sense I really did do them…. Kinda… maybe…
…
"Oh my god Roanne…I'm so glad it's the summer"
"NO SCHOOL" Sookie and I both shouted; laughing together as we walked with arms linked along the road to my house.
"So… what are we gonna do? We need to make it fun Roanne… plus…total bummer; I need to get a part time job. No way I can keep cycling to school"
I had to admire Sookie; I would really love to drive but… honestly; I was too chicken; I guess because you can't drive until eighteen in Ireland, I never even gave it a second thought. "Hey, maybe we can get a job together?" Maybe a job was a good idea… I could get out of the house a little; meet some new people.
"Hey. There's a new bar and restaurant called Merlottes. Maybe we could try there?"
"Sounds good. Come on… let's go get some food at my house and we can go check it out"
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Sookie POV
Hello pretty ladies "Hi, can I get you young ladies a booth?"
"Em….we were looking or the manager"
"Well, hi… I'm Sam Merlotte" Sam said, holding out his hand.
"Hi, I'm Sookie, Sookie Stackhouse and this is Roanne Whitford. We wanted to know if there are any summer jobs going?" a pretty thing like this could be good for business – pity they're not older
"Why sure, sure… I need a waitress to help out – things are starting to pick up" Sam smiled. He was kind of cute is a rough handsome sort of way. "But I've only got one job" he said.
….
So there it was. I was going to be working in Merlottes. When Roanne heard there was only one job she immediately said that I should take it – on the condition that I would drive her to school if I got enough for a car. Sam seemed like a nice guy – I kept reminding myself to keep out of his head; it was the only way I was gonna hold down a job. He had four shifts altogether. I hoped that Roanne didn't mind… I couldn't tell thought – I still cant get a read on her thoughts.
A/N
Hey there everyone. the text underlined and italics are when Sookie is reading someone's thoughts!... but you guys are clever enough to work that out yourselves! Please leave a little review and let me know how you think the plot of the story is going so far and thank you so much to all those who have reviewed so far and who are taking the time to read my little story :)