Here it is - the next chapter. I'm sorry once again for the wait. Unfortunately life gets in the way sometimes but I appreciate the support from everyone. I can't tell you enough how much the comments, follows, and favorites mean to me. Thank you once again. I will try to get Chapter 6 up within the next two weeks just because I think it's one that people are waiting for. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

"Punishment?" Eric said, and Godric couldn't help the slight amusement he felt, both at his child's antics as well as the pretty flush that had blossomed across Sookie's skin as a result of her outburst. The situation had escalated quickly, however, and Godric just wanted the meeting to come to an end.

"Eric," Godric said, turning to address his child, his voice relaxed and calm as if he and Eric were not restraining Bill Compton and Nan Flannigan respectively and all the other vampires in the room were not poised to rip into each other at any moment. Eric quirked his eyebrow further in question, his eyes flickering with barely-restrained mirth. The moment reminded Godric of lifetimes long past that he and his child had shared together, and the memories made something expand in his chest.

Godric was about to give Eric further instruction when their captives chose to interrupt. It was Nan Flannigan what was either brave enough or stupid enough to speak first.

"Just what the fuck do you think you and the soon-to-be former Sheriff Northman are doing? In accordance with the rules set forth by the Vampire Authority, attaching a fellow vampire – "

It happened so quickly that Sookie could barely process what she saw. Eric was now beside her restraining Bill in what looked to be a much tighter and more painful grip than Godric had used what Godric was standing with Ms. Flannigan, watching her as she surreptitiously rubbed the marks that Eric's grip had left on her neck, even as they began to fade. Sookie didn't completely understand what caused Ms. Flannigan to cut herself off mid-tirade, though she knew how intimidating Godric could be when he wanted to be. Idly, she wondered briefuly how Godric and Eric pulled that switch-around move off, but she knew a maker and child had some mind-meld thing so that must have had something to do with it.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sookie peeked up at Eric. She regretted her action instantly when she found Eric's eyes staring right back at her. He smirked down at her, the salacious look on his face only growing when she rolled her eyes in disgust. The sound of Godric's voice caught her attention then, and she turned back toward him not wanting to miss whatever was going to happen, but not before Eric shot her a wink that left her wondering how that man managed to make every gesture seem so filthy.

"Enough melodrama, Ms. Flannigan." Godric's voice, as always, was deceptively quiet, but Sookie could hear the restraint he was employing and knew without a doubt that his patience was at an end.

Foolishly, Ms. Flannigan appeared to gather herself, opening her mouth to speak before Godric cut her off once again.

"I said enough," Godric said, a deadly undertone now unmistakable. "If you choose to speak again without my expressed permission, I promise you I will render you incapable."

Nan Flannigan looked as if she might argue for a moment but thought better of it at the last second.

"You get off on hearing yourself speak." Eric snorted at his maker's use of the crude colloquialism but Godric ignored the sound and continued. "I would like you to listen, now. The Vampire Authority as well as their ridiculous rules are of no consequence to me. I have no interest in those who seek power for the sake of having it. I know each vampire on the council personally, Ms. Flannigan, because I have been asked time and again to join them myself. The problem with this is that not only do I revile everything the Vampire Authority stands for, but I detest its members with just as great a passion. Possibly the only beings I loathe more are the sycophants that cling to them so desperately, hoping to get their share of the power without having done a thing to deserve it." At this Godric paused, looking Nan Flannigan up and down with undisguised disgust.

"I am going to be as plain as I possibly can be: you will not threaten me, you will not threaten my child, and you will not threaten my bonded. Do so and I can assure you I will show you the true death. This stands for anyone who would dare presume to cause harm to what is mine. But please, do not delude yourself into believing I consider you an adversary. You are nothing more than an insect to me, insignificant and small, so trust me when I say if you become too much of a nuisance I will squash you like the bug you are."

Godric paused once more to see if Nan would attempt to interject any further. When the silence began to become uncomfortable, the tiny sounds of the other vampires in the room growing anxious seeming to magnify as time passed on, Godric finally addressed Nan Flannigan again.

"I will restate my intentions now and this time you will listen. I am stepping down from my position as Sheriff of Area 9. In that we are agreed. Isabel will be appointed my successor. I am most adamant about this. Eric will remain Sheriff of Area 5. He has done nothing to merit his removal – quite the opposite, actually. I will be relocating to my child's area and I suppose I should inform you as well that Mr. Compton will be moving away."

"I will do no such thing! Bon Temps is my home."

Before Bill could say anything further, Eric squeezed his grip closed around Bill's neck, cutting off his ability to speak.

"Hold that thought, Billy Boy," Eric said, the glee apparent in the sound of his voice, "I think my maker is going to want a word."

"But not here," Godric said in the affirmative. "We have taken up enough of these people's time. This has nothing to do with them. I apologize for making a scene," Godric said, directing his words at the various other vampires that had been in attendance at the meeting. They nodded their heads in recognition of Godric's words and retreated from the room, understanding the implicit dismissal within his comment. When the door closed behind the last vampire. Godric turned back to Nan Flannigan.

"I trust there is no confusion about anything I have said to you, Ms. Flannigan?"

Ms. Flannigan shook her head, though the vindictive glare in her eyes was still present.

"Heed my warning," Godric said as he backed away from Ms. Flannigan, allowing her to move toward the door. "I will not hesitate to end you if you cause me, or those who belong to me trouble. And unlike you, I do not make idle threats that I have no intention of following through with."

When she was gone, Godric finally turned his focus back over to where Eric was still enjoying himself restraining the Compton idiot and his Sookie was staring wide-eyed, looking as if in shock. In an instant Godric was beside her cupping her face in his hands and forcing Sookie to look at him.

In his periphery, Godric could see Compton redouble his struggles against Eric's grip, and although his child had made it almost impossible for him to make a sound, Compton, in his fury, managed to choke a few syllables up past Eric's constricting fingers.

Ever so slowly, without removing his hands from Sookie's face, Godric turned toward the garbled noise.

"Mr. Compton," Godric said, and now his voice was very quiet – abnormally so. "I very much hope, for the sake of your health, that you did not say what I think you did."

He turned back to Sookie before Compton had a chance to respond. Godric's fingers stroked the swell of Sookie's cheek gentling her, before speaking once again.

"Sookie," Godric said, never stopping the soothing motion his fingers were making on her cheeks, "I'm afraid you are going to have to be patient just a little longer while we deal with Mr. Compton. Do you understand?"

Sookie kept her eyes locked with Godric's, nodding her head in answer to his question.

"Sweet girl," Godric whispered against her lips, allowing the corner of his mouth to turn up just slightly. "Once again I am truly sorry your first days with me could not have been more peaceful ones. It is not fair to ask this of you and yet because of others' selfish actions, I must."

Godric paused before continuing. "I know you are still worried about your punishment." At this a small smirk reminiscent of the one Sookie was used to seeing on the face of his child crossed Godric's face, earning a soft snort that had to have come from Eric. Sookie's brows furrowed in annoyance at the sound and she tried to turn out of Godric's grasp so she could send what, in her opinion, was a well-deserved glare toward Eric. However Godric merely increased the pressure in his fingertips, preventing her from moving an inch. A tiny frustrated growl escaped from Sookie then, causing both Godric and Eric to chuckle to each other before Bill once again reminded them of his continued presence.

"You know," Godric said, "I believe I have given you quite enough warning that you should be able to properly understand the gravity of the situation you have found yourself in, and yet you persist. Eric?"

"Yes, Godric."

"I have changed my mind. Please escort Mr. Compton to hotel security and inform them that this vampire is to be remanded into custody per my request. Ask that they keep Mr. Compton there until we are able to tend to him."

"Shall I give them a reason why you want Compton held?" Eric asked, already dragging a resisting Bill towards the door.

"You may," said Godric, looking once more into Sookie's eyes. "You may tell them he attempted to lay false claim on my bonded.

"I'll be back in a moment," Eric said, another smile creeping its way onto his handsome face. "I wouldn't want to miss what is sure to be quite an entertaining event."

Though Godric's eyes were soft, showing how very happy he was to be around his child again lascivious behavior and all, his words disappointed Eric.

"I'm sorry, child. I am not going to force your presence on Sookie during her punishment. You will stay away from our room for the remainder of this night."

For a moment Eric was visibly disappointed, but before Sookie got a chance to read any one emotion on his face, he had hidden them all behind that obnoxious smirk of his once again. Eric left without another word, leaving only Godric and Sookie in the now quiet room.

"Now my sweet girl, let us return to our room. We have some business to attend to."

Sookie didn't remember walking back to the room. It seemed as if each step she took shut her mind down just a little more. By the time Godric closed the hotel door behind them, Sookie felt like her heart was going to explode and she was so nervous she wasn't sure she knew her own name at the moment. Thankfully Godric was there and stopped her before she had a full blown panic attack.

"Sookie," Godric said, his voice firm. "Sookie you will listen to me and stop this silly behavior this instant."

Sookie's breathing, which had turned harsh as her panic rose, stopped completely for a few moments. A hard gush of air was suddenly expelled from her lungs, then, leaving Sookie feeling significantly more relaxed, if a bit deflated.

"Good girl," Godric praised. He brought his hand up to the back of her head and drew his fingers gently through her hair, calming her further. Godric watched Sookie's face carefully for any signs of distress, pleased when her eyes began to slip closed in reaction to him combing through her hair. When her lids finally shuttered over her eyes completely Godric broke the peace that had descended over the pair of them.

"There now, Sookie. Very good. You've done so well already. I'm very proud of you, sweet girl. But we must deal with this so it is over and done with. Do you understand?"

Sookie took a deep breath and nodded in the affirmative, however Godric did not accept a silent answer this time.

"You will answer me with your words now, Sookie," Godric instructed her tenderly.

It took her a moment but Godric was patient and eventually Sookie did respond.

"Uh...yes, I understand."

"Very good, Sookie. In addition, however, you must also address me properly." Godric saw the slightly confused look ghost across Sookie's face, so he elaborated. "Tell me, Sookie, to whom do you belong?"

The color on Sookie's cheeks rose but she did not hesitate to answer in a shy, quiet voice. "You. I'm yours."

Godric smiled to show his approval of her response. "Good girl, Sookie. That is correct. You are mine…as is Eric. Now, I would like you to think about how you have heard Eric address me when he is not using my name. Can you remember what title he used, little one?"

Godric saw in Sookie's face the moment that her memory located the proper title. The girl really did blush at the smallest things, Godric thought to himself with some amusement.

"Do you remember, Sookie?"

She nodded her head, trying desperately to avoid making eye contact with Godric, but he grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up.

"Now, now. What did we just say about answering out loud?" Godric admonished. His tone was still light, but something about it had changed, and though Sookie could not put her finger on it, a shiver of anticipation ran through her announcing its presence. The feeling made it difficult to pay full attention to Godric's words but she fought to do so desperately, understanding instinctively how important this was.

Sookie did not know how much time had passed between Godric's comment and her response, but she found herself quite grateful for his seemingly endless amounts of patience.

"Y-yes," Sookie finally said, stumbling a little over her words as her nerves got the best of her. "Yes, I remember what Eric called you."

"And?" Godric prodded.

"He um, well…" Sookie paused just a second, collecting herself with another deep breath before she spit out the answer as if the words burnt her tongue. "Eric called you Master!"

After finally expelling the words from her throat, Sookie calmed enough to realize that Godric was once again wearing that cheeky grin that both annoyed her and made her heart skip a beat in both turns.

"There now, that wasn't so difficult, was it?" Godric said, once again stroking through Sookie's hair distractingly. Sookie's eyelids began to droop again at the gentle touch and they would have slid shut entirely had it not been for Godric's next words.

"Why must you be punished, Sookie? What did you do wrong?"

Godric had guided them over to the couch without Sookie noticing. He settled them both down into the cushions, nestling Sookie into his lap before she responded. She looked up to Godric hesitantly, and Godric nodded his head, encouraging her to speak, though Sookie noticed with some trepidation that his face now seemed to be almost completely devoid of emotion, only his eyes betraying that the vampire she had begun to rely on still resided behind his stony facade.

Sookie swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. She made several attempts to form the words she needed to say, and Godric's patience only served to make her more frustrated. She released a sob into the silence of the hotel room and then it was as if a dam broke; Sookie could neither control the tears that had begun to stream down her face, nor could she control the words that now seemed to fall freely from her tongue.

"I – I'm, I'm s-sorry," Sookie said miserably through her tears. Her voice was thick and her words fought their way through her labored breath. "I didn't m-mean it. I didn't mean to try to hit you. Sorry…I'm sorry. Couldn't even listen…"

She muttered through her sobs, though not everything she said was intelligible, even to Godric. He didn't push her; he just held her as she curled in on herself, releasing the emotion that had been building up since their time alone together earlier in the evening. As she moved, the skirt of Sookie's dress shifted up further than what would have been considered decent in public. Godric's hand had found its way to her thigh, then, allowing the tips of his fingers to move whisper soft against the delicate skin he found there.

When it seemed as if Sookie had cried herself out, at least for the moment, Godric spoke.

"Sookie, I understand how remorseful you are for your actions. You need to listen to me now when I say this: I forgive you. I forgive you, sweet girl."

Sookie hiccupped a little, trying to get control of her breathing before she turned her head, which was now nestled in Godric's lap, to look up into his face.

"How could you?" she breathed in disbelief, almost afraid to question the words she wanted to hear more than anything in that moment, and yet needing to understand why.

"Sookie, I forgive you because everyone makes mistakes. I forgive you because I know you did not intend to cause me harm and you were not thinking clearly when you acted so poorly. However you will receive punishment for these actions. This is partially to help you remember not to act in this way again, to remind you that this is not acceptable behavior, but there is another reason your punishment is necessary."

Sookie didn't say anything in response, still not understanding how Godric could be so forgiving of her behavior. But she just waited for Godric to continue, allowing herself to be comforted by the constant movement of his fingers against her skin.

"The other reason for your punishment is perhaps even more important," Godric said finally. He waited until Sookie's eyes met his expectantly before continuing. "In the end, it is not just my forgiveness that you require, little one. It is your own. Your punishment will allow you that."

Sookie's eyes widened disbelief, and then realization. When Godric saw acceptance settle across Sookie's features, blotchy and red from crying for so long, he leaned down over her, placing a chaste kiss lightly on her forehead.

"Turn over for me then, little one. Let us not put this off any longer."