Hope watched Pam search for her from the roof of the Toys-R-Us next to Fangtasia. Vampires would cover the ground for miles when hunting for a human, but rarely ever thought to look up. She'd asked Godric about that tendency once. He laughed and asked her "Does the wolf search the sky for rabbits?"
With a primal growl, Pam gave up her search and stalked back into Fangtasia. Hope checked her watch - 1:00A.M – everything was proceeding according to plan. She climbed down from the roof and walked four blocks to the Circle K where her black BMW motorcycle was parked. She stopped to buy a bottle of Dr. Pepper and a bag of peanut M&Ms for the road before kicking the bike into gear and heading for Bon Temps.
Bill Compton pulled into his driveway after making a trip to the all-night grocer. His shopping list was simple – one case of True Blood O negative, and a six pack of Fresca (in case human guests dropped by). It was a fortuitous purchase because much to his surprise, a guest was waiting for him. "May I help you?" he asked the woman who had made herself at home on his porch steps.
The woman screwed the cap back on her Dr. Pepper and smiled. "My name is Hope, and you're William Compton. I recognize you from your picture in that clever directory of yours."
"That database is for vampires only," he replied, with a tone of warning. "How did you get it and why are you here?"
"Stand down, Mr. Compton. I'm a friend of the fang. To answer your questions, The King of Texas gave me access to your database, and I'm here to see Miss Stackhouse. She wasn't at her home, so I thought she might be here."
Bill's eyes narrowed and his fangs dropped. "What does the King of Texas want with Sookie?"
"Retract. Your. Fangs." Hope spoke slowly and dangerously. She was clearly a woman who was used to giving orders and having them followed. Bill did not comply. She made a careful assessment of the man in front of her and told him what she knew would be a convincing lie. "I have business in Shreveport. While I was in the neighborhood, I wanted to meet Miss Stackhouse to thank her. She…" Hope took a breath and continued. "She stood with my beloved when he met the sun. I'm grateful that he didn't go to his final death alone."
Bill's fangs disappeared. "You belonged to Godric?"
"Yes, I did," she sighed wistfully. At least that much was true.
"He was a great vampire. I'm sorry for your loss."
"Yes, he was. Thank you."
They stood in awkward silence as Bill engaged in an internal struggle between southern propriety and protectiveness. There was something about the encounter that was not quite right. Protectiveness won. "Pardon my rudeness, but how can I know that you are who you say you are? How do I know that this isn't some scheme concocted by the Fellowship of the Sun to get to Sookie?
"Don't apologize for being smart," Hope answered with a smile. "Security is my specialty. I would have been disappointed if you had taken me at my word. May I use your cell phone?"
Bill hesitated, but then put his phone in her hand. She took a picture of herself and then composed a picture message with the text 'Do you know this woman?' She handed the phone back to Bill. "Send that message to Stan or Isabel in Dallas."
He had to admit. She was clever. With a few finger taps he sent the message on its way. Less than thirty seconds passed before his phone was ringing. It was the King of Texas.
"Bill Compton?"
"Yes, sir."
"Why do you want to know about the woman in the picture?" The king sounded more imperious than he did the last time Bill saw him. Of course, the last time Bill saw Stan, he wasn't the King of Texas.
"She's sitting on my front porch claiming that she belonged to Godric. She wants to talk to Sookie, and I'd like to make sure that she is who she says she is before I allow that to happen."
"Put her on the phone."
Bill handed the phone to Hope, and after a few moments of quiet and intense conversation that he couldn't quite make out, Hope handed the phone back to him.
"I will vouch that the woman I just spoke to is Hope Christiansen. She belonged to Godric until his final death. I have allowed her to guard my resting place and would do so again without hesitation."
"Thank you," Bill replied and hung up the phone. The King of Texas trusted her with the location of his daytime rest. There was no higher expression of trust in the vampire world. He turned to Hope. "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Christiansen."
"Likewise, Mr. Compton."
"Would you like to come inside? I don't get many human guests, so I don't have much to offer in the way of refreshment." He held up the six pack of Fresca apologetically.
Hope laughed and took the pack of peanut M&Ms out of her pocket. "I've spent most of my life with vampires. I've learned to pack my own."
"Please, sit down." Bill showed her into his parlor. "I'm not expecting Sookie tonight, but you can probably reach her at her home tomorrow morning. I can tell you this. She considered it an honor to be with Godric at the end. She said his passing was very peaceful."
"Thank you for telling me that," Hope said quietly. "It helps to know he didn't suffer."
Bill opened his mouth to say something and then closed it again.
"You're wondering why I wasn't with him, but you're too polite to ask." Hope shrugged. "It's what I would want to know if I were you."
"Why weren't you with him?" Bill asked gently.
"Godric and I disagreed about his decision to meet the sun. He felt very strongly that he needed to be a willing sacrifice, but he could not make me understand why. He said it would become clear to me as events unfolded, but that I would just have to trust him. He presented himself to Reverend Newlin, and then things sort of fell apart. Godric didn't want to be rescued. He didn't want bloodshed.
We were together briefly back at the nest after the rescue. His resolve to meet the sun was beginning to waiver, and he sent me away. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to go through with it if I was there. I obeyed, but I wake up every single day wishing I hadn't."
"I'm very sorry. How long had you and Godric been companions?"
"Since 1935."
Forgetting himself, Bill touched her throat, feeling her strong, steady pulse and the warmth of her skin. He watched her chest rise and fall with every breath. How could this be? She cleared her throat and he remembered his manners. "Pardon me, ma'am," he said, pulling his hand away. "I don't understand. You're not vampire, and yet you don't look a day over thir—"
Hope arched a dangerous eyebrow.
"—twenty-five," Bill quickly corrected.
"Godric and I exchanged blood almost everyday. He always gave more than he took. I am not vampire, but I am nearly as strong and as fast as one. I age, but slowly. I have the blood of a very old, very powerful vampire coursing through my veins."
"Some people claim that Godric was two thousand years old," said Bill. "Is that true?"
Hope shook her head. "At the time of his final death, he was almost seven thousand years old."
Bill gave the appearance of a man who had been hit in the head with two by four. "But…that would mean…"
"His maker was The First One." Hope finished his sentence for him.
Bill sat absolutely still for a moment, staring at her in astonished silence. "Truly?" he finally asked.
"Oh, yes."
"Did he tell you the story of his creation? I would very much like to hear it if he did."
"He did tell me. It's a long, fascinating story, best told at sundown, over whiskey…or fresh blood, in your case." Hope stood up. "But it's late – by human standards – and I have a job to do tomorrow."
Ever the gentleman, Bill was on his feet the moment she was. He escorted her to the door. "That sounds like a fine evening. Would you do me the honor of joining me for dinner tomorrow night and sharing your story?"
"I have a feeling that Sheriff Northman is going to be keeping us all busy tomorrow night, but I'd be delighted to join you the night after."
"What's happening, tomorrow night?" asked Bill.
"I can't tell you. It will spoil the surprise. Au revoir!
Author's note: This is all set up for the main plot. Fear not, plenty of good Eric and Sookie drama coming up soon! Also, most of the plot is based on the books with one BIG exception. The character of Godric is based on the TV show Godric, whom I found fascinating, and not the Godric in the books.