Hey Everyone,

I know this chapter has been stalled for a long time but anyways here it is now. My goal this week is to get to 30 reviews because 28 is such an ugly number… so please, help relieve my OCD tendencies. If your life goal is to get mentioned in this story well here's your chance! The next two people to review get a special "thank you" from my obsessive-compulsive side. I know? Isn't that exciting… plus if they leave an idea for what to do in this story I will almost definitely incorporate it! Unless it's really messed up that is…

Thanks

Summer Jane

~Eric~

I sat in my office for a while before venturing back into the club once again. Chow nodded at me and I ordered one of those disgusting TruBloods to tide me over until I got him. A positive. I took a sip of it and winced. It was nothing like the real thing and truly was a revolting substitute. I didn't understand the vampires who survived solely on it.

"There's a sight I never thought I'd see." I turned around to see Godric was suddenly in front of me, "You settling for something less then the real thing. Are you truly growing soft?"

"You mock me?" I scowled at him. Godric just smiled down at me calmly.

"I am only concerned. Surely things are not so bad with Rachel that you can't go home and taste her instead of that." He looked at the bottle with distaste.

"Your concern for my human is unnecessary." I took another swig of my TruBlood and looked up at my maker resentfully.

"Your bitterness towards her is also unnecessary." Godric told me in a condescending tone. I put my hand on my forehead as if I had a headache, "Shall I be expecting her at my home again then?"

"No, she already went back to the house with Pam." I responded and he nodded and looked a bit disappointed, "Were you expecting to see her?" His attitude towards Rachel was peeking my interest, "Did something happen that I should be aware of."

"Of course not Eric, don't be ridiculous." Godric turned away from the bar, "You know very well that she adores you." I raised my eyebrows and continued to sip at my drink.

Godric stayed and we spoke of more important matters such as the continuous threats we're been receiving from the Fellowship of the Sun. Those nasty little vampire-hating humans were really beginning to annoy me. Godric's behavior has been unusual lately and I wanted to know why he was acting so strangely.

"Are you going to tell me what is on your mind Godric?" I asked. The bar had started clearing out since it was closing early tonight. He looked up at me as if he very badly wanted to yell at me but he managed to keep his composure.

"The way you treated that girl last night… I want to inform you, my son, that I will not let that happen again." Godric stated coldly.

"Really I thought you liked having her stay with you." I finished the TruBlood and chow took away the empty bottle. Ginger took over wiping down the tables and the blonde that Pam was talking to earlier stumbled to the exit still in a daze. Pam emerged from behind the club licking her lips.

"Don't patronize me Eric!" Godric said sternly, "It has nothing to do with me, this is about Rachel and how you act and speak to her." Pam pursed her lips together and decided not to join in the conversation. She left the club hastily.

"I have to go." I stood up and grabbed my coat, "I have some business I need to attend to before returning home."

~Godric~

I sighed deeply as I watched Eric disappear to the back of the club. I put my elbows on the bar and Chow asked me if I needed anything. I shook my head and followed Eric to his office. Preparing to apologize for me confrontational behavior. That's when I saw her, one of the fangbangers from the club, experiencing the best night of her life. She was screaming in pleasure as he sank his teeth into. I turned around and walked away, disgusted. That was the business he had to "attend to" before going home to his waiting… I don't even know what Rachel is to him. I clenched my teeth and began to make my way back to my car. I've never really been bothered by Eric's anti-monogamous ways but it's Rachel. She doesn't deserve that and he doesn't deserve her. Once in the car I slammed the door behind me, making the glass shake. I revved the engine and took off for home. I was halfway there when I suddenly changed my destination. I needed to see her. I turned the steering wheel into a sharp U-turn and sped up. Making it to Eric's house before the hour was up. The night was still young and I knew that he wouldn't be occupying his home for a while.

I entered the modern looking house without even knocking. Eric had completely redecorated the old house since Rachel's arrival. Speaking of Rachel, there she sat, on the couch, alone. She was patiently anticipating Eric's return and was twiddling he thumbs nervously. When she heard the floor creek under my weight as I walked into the room, her head shot up expectantly. When she saw it was me and not Eric her face fall into a comfortable smile. She stood up from the couch and walked over to me slowly. I was surprised when she opened her arms and wrapped them around me, squeezing lightly. I looked at her in total astonishment, not knowing quite how to react. She let go and stared up at me.

"Thank you so much for letting me stay at your home." She seemed sincerely grateful, "I know I can be a bit of a burden but you're such a good friend and I don't know what I'd do without you." Her words hurt me, friend. I didn't want to just be her friend. Such a meaningless word for such strong feelings I have towards her.

"I'm sure you'd be fine." I said truthfully. She would be fine without me. Eric would take care of her. I, on the other hand, wouldn't be so unscarred if I lost her.

"No, seriously Godric. I feel like you're always there for me and I don't know why you even bother because heaven knows how much trouble I am." She reached up to kiss me on the cheek and I rested my hand gently on hers, "Du är värt besväret, min kärlek. Jag önskar bara du visste hur mycket jag skulle göra för dig (you are the worth the trouble, my love. I only wish you knew how much I would do for you.)." She looked at me as if to ask what I had just told her but I simply smiled and didn't say another word. It was better that she didn't know.

"What has you smiling so?" I asked as she through her head back and laughed. It was strange that she seemed so happy when it was only yesterday night that she was crying her eyes out.

"Eric is going to let Lafayette go." Her words rushed together with a big smile on her face as she gushed about the release of her friend that I knew was not going to happen. Not until Eric got something that he wanted from the prisoner or from someone else in exchange for that man's freedom. I tried my best to return the smile but I couldn't quite manage it.

"That's great Rachel…" I said slowly. She must have picked up on my displeasure because her smile disappeared.

"What's wrong?" She put a hand lightly on my shoulder, "Why are you here? Has something happened?" I was sad that this was the only reason she would think that I would come to see her.

"No. Nothing's happened. I just came to see you." I told her and looked away. A smile returned to her face and took my hand and led me to see next to her on the couch. I let go of her hand immediately and she looked a bit confused by my cold nature. She didn't mention it however.

"Is Eric coming home soon?" She asked eagerly, "I have a lot of thanking to do." She smiled. I didn't want to know how she was going to thank him.

"Why? What's he done?" Other than totally betray your trust. I don't think Eric sees it that way though and I know that she knows about the other women. I don't understand why she puts up with it though. I would never do that to her, she would be all that I needed.

"He's letting Lafayette go." She squealed excitedly. I realized that he must have somehow convinced her that it was because of her that he's letting the poor man go. That obviously was not the case, not if I know Eric as well as I think I do.

"That's great Rachel." I smiled as convincingly as possible but I couldn't quite manage it. She didn't notice, she wasn't particularly interested in me anyways. Her gaze kept shifting the door and back, biting her lip nervously until it finally opened and she shot up from the couch.

"Godric, what a surprise." Those were the first words that came out of Eric's mouth. Not even really acknowledging Rachel running into his arms. He stared at me intently as he wrapped his arms around her waist, "Rachel, go downstairs for a while. I need to discuss something with Godric that does not require your presence." Rachel's smile faltered but she recovered quickly and complied. Kissing Eric on the cheek lightly and giving me a tentative wave as she left.

~Rachel~

I waited a while for Godric to leave before returning downstairs. I didn't know what they were talking about and I had no intention of asking Eric. I had slipped on my black Victoria's Secret, nightgown. It wasn't that revealing but it wasn't modest either, which was perfect for me. I tiptoed back into the room though I knew my efforts of being quiet were useless with vampire hearing. I saw Eric sitting across from the fire, gazing into the flames. I was hurt that he hadn't greeted me when I first arrived and now he wasn't even looking up. Instead he just opened his arms for me to crawl into expectantly. That's exactly what I did, I was worn out from fighting so much and just wanted to relax into his hold for once. I buried my head into his shoulder and draped my legs over his lap. He still seemed preoccupied and I waited for words that never came from his lips. I was the first to speak.

"I've been waiting a long time." I said to break the unbearable silence, "I missed you." I don't think I've ever said that to him before and it startled him a little. He looked up at me suddenly and gave me an odd look, "What?" I asked.

"I'm jus not used to you saying endearing things to me… well at least not while you're in your right mind." He said. His expression held no sparkle of amusement and remained serious.

"When am I not in my right mind?" I asked curiously. He raised his eyebrow at me suggestively and I couldn't help but blush deeply when his words finally clicked in, "Oh." He turned back to the fire, this time with the ghost of a smile on his lips, "What do I say… when I'm you know… like that?" He seemed to be deep in thought for a while before answering.

"You said 'Oh my god!' quite a lot." His lips quirked up into a smile, "There are a lot of 'Eric's involved as well but recently you have been telling me something quite different."

"What?"

"You tell me that you love me." He said quietly. I've don't think I've even seen him this torn before. He didn't know if he likes the idea of me loving him or not. I didn't know if I liked it either or if I really did love him. It was all too much to take in at the moment.

"Huh." I said and turned to him, "Would you like to hear me say it again?" I asked mischievously. He smiled and pushed me back down on the couch. Lifting the silk nightgown over my head teasingly.

"I thought you'd never ask…"

Important Status Update:

Hello again everyone. I know this took a pretty fucking long time to post and it wasn't too thrilling but now that it's the holidays it's going to be a lot easier for me to keep it up and make it exciting. Also, I've been having a tidsy bit of writers block but I've also been kicking this idea around in my head about Rachel's sister (a.k.a a new love interest for one of our main characters – I'm not saying who). For all of those who have voiced to me about how you don't like Rachel's push over side, I think you'll really take interest in this new character because she's nothing like her older sister.

The point is that I have yet to name this new troublemaker and would really love your help. So press the review button bellow and give me the girl's name! Please? A little background info (if it helps)… Rachel's previously innocent sister – who used to be a lot like Rachel herself – is returning to town, after being at a boarding school in L.A California for 2 years, with a new look and a new attitude. She's more used to vampires than anyone could imagine (because the number of them that live in Hollywood is exponential) but has never been personally involved with one herself. She's recently given herself blond highlights to stop looking like her family. Also she got a bellybutton piecing and tattoo (in a place that is not visible… when she's wearing clothes). Most importantly though, she's completely self-destructive and something that happened in the last two years has changed her forever. Long story short she's not daddy's little girl anymore.

I'd really love to hear all your ideas about this character (whether it be a name, what happened to her, story line, love wise… whatever). Don't forget to review… as an update: Team Eric and Team Godric are currently tied for Rachel's affections according to your votes! Keep voting if you want to see your team win!

XOXO

Summer Jane