I do not own True Bood or Eric Northman. If I did---it'd be porn.

CH. 1 From the Darkness There is Light

It had been six months since I'd climbed down from that rooftop; the vision of Godric's beautiful form silhouetted against the high rise buildings and cement towers reaching upward toward the dawn sky. The warmth of the oncoming morning sun evident by the steam rising from my skin, I had no choice but to leave. Although Sookie Stackhouse promised to remain with him, it didn't change the fact that I abandoned the one I'd been forever obligated; the one I'd honored and cherished…and loved like no other. And now…he was gone, for Godric had chosen to sacrifice himself to the sun.

I'd never known despair before that morn; the absolute anguish, sorrow and torment that follows loss; the wholeness of empty that consumes one's insides. I cried for the first time in my many years of remembering. For Godric, the red tears of the undead streamed down my cheeks.

During the first month following Godric's demise, I remained in my office at the rear of Fangtasia, in solitude. The windowless space offered safety from the sun and seclusion during the night. No one dared enter without permission, nor did they even try. I craved nothing; not companionship, not sleep, not nourishment. My body weakened together with my will to exist. As the weeks passed, I apparently began to deteriorate. It wasn't until I saw the fear in Sookie's eyes the night she forced her way into my office that I realized exactly how far I'd gone.

Sookie had ignored Pam's warnings, pushing past her toward my solitude. She alone braved my company. I was volatile, unpredictable; even more so than usual. Not even Pam dared to face me. But Sookie offered solace when I craved darkness; a tender touch when I spat obscenities. She was unrelenting, and her compassion slowly and diligently smoothed away at the rough edges of my interior …enough for me to allow her in.

Her courage and persistence impressed me. Her soft curves and ample bosom inspired me. Sookie quickly became my will to exist; as I didn't exactly live. She became my strength during a time of weakness, calm during my inner storm. She welcomed my tears with a warm embrace, and I allowed them to flow freely in her presence. For with her I was safe…home. And, due to our blood bond, I knew her concern was genuine in return.

I had no explanation or experience to draw upon for what I felt toward Sookie. It was unlike anything I'd ever known. I didn't love her---I couldn't. I'd proven repeatedly throughout the decades that I was incapable of that particular emotion….simply satiating one need after the next with a history of nameless, faceless women. But for her I most definitely felt an endearment; one I did not understand, but could not imagine living without. Unlike the hundreds of years worth of women I'd known, I could not satiate the hunger she stirred.

I suspected she became aware of my need for her the night she refused to come to my office at the end of her shift at Merlotte's. Instead she insisted upon meeting me in the largest, most popular room of Fangtasia. She was forcing me out…back into the world. Her efforts were well-intentioned, but it infuriated me. I was unaccustomed to being controlled by a human, and I was bewildered by the power she had over me.

I stood at the door to my office, my fingers wrapped tightly around the ornate crystal knob. If blood still coursed my veins, I was certain my knuckles would have been white with strain. If my existence still required breathing, mine would have been ragged. I could almost feel a veil of imaginary perspiration on my forehead.

Finally, in one swift movement, the door flung open at my mercy and I stepped out. The sound of my boots on the tiled floor echoed through my ears, drowning out the gasps of the tourists and the steady beat of "After Midnight" on the sound system. I took in my surroundings as my world became muted, allowing my existing senses to become hypersensitive; colors and scents overpowering me. Swirls of blacks and reds dominated the room. Being the colors most humans associated with vampires, humans most often chose to wear them while mingling with Louisiana's undead. I closed my eyes, allowing my sense of smell to take over, in hopes of locating the aroma of fresh linen and magnolia blossoms I was looking for. Instead, I found almond, bay leaves and myrrh. It was a combination with which I was quite familiar, but one I never again expected to encounter. It was an ancient combination, a pleasant aroma most appreciated for its soothing qualities. But it was not something to be appreciated by the common human or marketed in their industries.

Mystified, I opened my eyes, looking for what I knew I could not possibly find, but somehow wishing I were wrong. In fact, I was hoping…for a miracle. But miracles were saved for the good… the kind…the human. Not for the soulless undead. In the sea of red and black, a flash of pale blue caught my attention. I moved toward the color, the sought after aroma growing stronger with every step. Curiosity, anxiety and intrigue led me through the crowd, my frustration growing as the mass of humans continually blocked my view. I found myself hastily shoving humans out of my way as I carelessly pushed my way through the crowd. I closed my eyes and focused on the scent, following it blindly as it began to fade and finally disappeared altogether.

I stood in the middle the dance floor, my hands on my hips, at a total loss…until I felt a hand on my shoulder. Impulsively, I grabbed the wrist, to find Sookie staring at me, wide-eyed and smiling. "I see you made it out of that room" she giggled. "I must say I didn't expect to see you on the dance floor."

I quickly released her wrist, gently caressing the area I'd assaulted as I placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. Her hand in mine, I led her away from the dance floor to a secluded table reserved only for me. I was lost in thought, trying to make sense of what had just happened. I knew it was impossible, but I also could not mistake that scent….the scent of him.

Sookie was watching me, still smiling, when my curiosity got the better of me. "That night on the rooftop, you saw him…go?"

"Godric?" She asked pleasantly.

"Yes! Godric!"

She jumped at my tone. "Yes. I told you…."

"Describe what you saw."

"Eric, you really don't want…"

"Don't tell me what I want. Do what I say!" I felt my fangs drag against my bottom lip. I did not wish to frighten her, but I needed to know… every detail.

Her lips trembled as she accounted every second of Godric's demise. She watched him enflame and turn to dust. Based on her description, there was no mistaking what she saw. But it sure as hell did not help to explain how Godric's scent made its way into my bar.

She sat quietly across from me for quite some time before finally speaking.

"Eric, are you okay? You're scaring me. You look like you've seen a ghost."

I shook my head, my eyes focused on the table.

"No. Not seen."

I made a point to look directly in her eyes, eager for her reaction.

"Sensed."

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Each chapter I will choose one reviewer to star with Eric in their own personal drabble.

Thanks!!

tNm