Hey...
How's it going?
Me?
We'll see...

Chapter Twenty Four:

I was sat on a sofa next to Isabel, who was next to Godric and yet again I feeling very much awkward. Opposite me Sookie was set next to Bill and we kept exchanging glances. Every time she tucked an invisible strand of hair behind her ear, I could tell she agreed with whatever I was thinking and when she bit her bottom lip, she disagreed.

She looked really pretty with her hair pulled into a high pony tail, leaving some to frame her face a little. Her dress was cute! It was a chequered red and white dress with thin straps.

I was still wearing my jeans, t-shirt, and trainers. I didn't dare touch my hair because Isabel worked on it. It was nice too. She had curled my hair with wide curls at the ends of my hair and pushed my fringe to the side slightly with a curl at the end. I will definitely do something like this style again.

I was sat facing Nan Flanagan, who looked nothing like she did on the TV. She looked prettier on the TV to be honest. Her hair was pulled tightly back in a bun and she was wearing tight black leather clothes from what I could see. She was currently frowning with her lips pursed so tightly, it looked as if she didn't have any! She was… kind 'a scary looking actually.

I noticed Sookie tucking some hair behind her ear as she was looking at me from under her thick lashes. She agreed with me. I tried not to smile, knowing that Nan Flanagan would notice. After all, I'm just the person who gotten beaten up and almost killed in this whole situation. No biggie. Really.

"I should drain every one of you bastards," Nan continued her angry rant. I clenched my jaw and refrained from running a hand through my hair. That has actually become a weird habit of mine…

"Stan went after the church on his own. None of us knew anything about it," Eric stated from behind. He was sat on one of those ottomans behind me. I might have conveniently sat with my back slightly to him…

"Oh Really? Because everyone who has actually met Stan in the past three-hundred years knew that he had kink about slaughtering humans," Nan retorted in a bored tone. I hated the bored tones, "But you, his nest mates, his sheriff, had no clue."

"And how were we supposed to know that this time he meant it?" Isabel spoke up in her soft tone.

"Not my problem. Yours," Nan snapped jabbing a finger in her direction. I clenched my fist. Rude much? Sookie tucked some hair behind her ear. I wish we had another way to communicate really, but if this was all I had, I was going to accept it. Being alive in a room full of vampires with their politics was kind 'a… intimidating for me. They could be so harsh and spiteful, it's a wonder they have actually gotten this far really.

"Don't talk to him that way," Eric spoke as calmly as he could, but I could hear the threat behind them. Nan didn't seem phased at all by it.

"Don't talk to me that way." She seemed to patronise him a little bit as she addressed him and even though I was completely furious with him, that was no way to act. It was rude and completely unnecessary.

"Let's get to the point. How did they manage to abduct you?" Nan changed the subject, addressing Godric once more. This was actually a question I wanted to know…

"They would have taken one of us sooner or later. I offered myself." Well I certainly didn't see that one coming. I couldn't hide the surprise on my face as I tilted my head slightly to see him before sitting straight and looking at my lap. Whoa…

"Why?" Nan asked, flabbergasted.

"Why not?" Godric countered.

"They wanted you to meet the sun. And you were willing?" Nan was staring at Godric as if he was the most stupid person in the room. She pursed her red painted lips. There was a short, very uncomfortable silence before Godric finally replied.

"What do you think?" Well… that was… unexpected. There's a slightly suicidal vampire in the room? Fantastic.

"I think you're out of your mind," I felt her eyes on me for a brief second as she scanned the room, "And then I hear about a traitor?" I looked to Isabel as she pressed her hands together in guilt. I wanted to lean forward and take one of them, but that would be silly. I just had to sit here in silence unless asked questions. I will voice my opinions when Nan Flanagan was out of the building. And oh boy will they be voiced.

"Irrelevant," Godric cut her off from what would possibly be another annoying rant, "Only a rumour, I'll take full responsibility."

"You bet you will," emotionless. How can someone be that… that… Oh you-

"You cold Bitch," Eric basically said it for me. I had to bite my bottom lip to keep me from smiling when she frowned.

"Listen, this is a national vampire disaster and nobody at the top has any sympathy for any of you." Ouch. That's not very… diplomatic. In fact… that's harsh and down right childish.

"Sheriff, you fucked up. You're fired." She turned to Godric, who didn't even looked phased! What the heck!? She fired him because Stan's a douche bag prick? Because a vampire hating church decided to bomb them? Not only that, a vampire hating church which is skyrocketing down hill after a bad news interview last night. (Sookie and Jason explained it to me. Sarah Newlin had a break down on national TV).

"I agree, Of course," Godric said with a nod and my eyes shot round to face him. No Way! There needs to be more people like Godric! "Isabel should take over. She had no part in my disgrace."

…I wasn't about to deny that… Isabel was a good woman.

"Godric, fight back," Isabel pushed softly.

"What are you saying? She's a bureaucrat, you don't have to take shit from her," Eric's voice was furious, I almost wanted to just curl up.

"You wanna lose your area, Viking?" Nan threatened. Well that's just pathetic. That whole thing about speaking my mind? Yeah, screw it. Wait till I'm mentioned. Please mention me.

"You don't have that kind of power," Eric seemed almost smug.

"Hey, I'm on TV. Try Me." If I clenched my jaw any tighter, I think I might shatter my teeth… holding back is surprisingly difficult.

"I'm to blame," Isabel spoke up, almost begging Nan to change her mind, "I should have contained Stan the second Godric went missing."

"Isabel," Godric silenced her. He turned to look at her, a thankful look in his eyes before looking away, "I remove myself from all positions of authority."

"Works for me."

Sookie sat forward, about to talk, but Bill tried to hold her back, to keep her out of it. Sookie refused.

"Ms. Flanagan, Godric rescued me from a really large rapist," I bit my lip and crossed my arms, "Who probably would have killed me too."

"That's nice," Nan cut her off, completely uninterested. I frowned, my arms dropping. Oh screw this!

"No," we both said in unison, causing her to frown looking at both of us. I could feel Eric's eyes on my back.

"Listen," Sookie continued, "And then he rescued Humans in that church, He rescued Hayley, plus a whole lot of vampires." She had motioned to me with her hand when I was mentioned, "You think it's a PR mess now, it could have been a hundred, a million times worse. You should be thanking him."

"For getting kidnapped? For attracting a suicide bomber?" she scoffed, cutting her off.

"The only reason the suicide bomber came is because Steve Newlin didn't have his Psychopathic fill. As if almost killing me wasn't enough," I piped up.

"I don't care if you were almost killed," she spoke and I arched a brow,

"Or are you not seeing the fact that you could help make the vampires seem a little bit like victims since, lets face it, there is more evidence pointing to the fact that the church have caused this 'PR mess'? I mean, surely you of all people can't be blinded with power in your position? You can help the vampires, gain a sympathy vote instead of this bullshit cover up." she was frowning, Sookie was shocked. Oh... I swore...

"Would you silence the human before I do. She clearly doesn't know the full story of your Piss-Poor Judgement," she addressed Godric and I glared, jumping to my feet at the same time as Eric growled, also jumping to his feet, ready to pounce the cold-hearted vampire.

"Now you hang on you stuck up-" I began before we were both stopped by Isabel.

"Don't," she spoke loud enough for me to hear, effectively cutting me off. I gave her a look of desperation, but she shook her head as Godric stopped Eric verbally. I felt his arm slightly touching mine from behind as I glared at the heartless woman behind Isabel. Is it bad I can feel electricity from the slightest of touches? Yes. Very Bad. Is it bad that I just want to hold his hand? Have him give mine a gentle squeeze of reassurance that we'll handle it?

I bit the inside of my mouth tightly and shook my head before sitting down, leaning back in the sofa and crossing my legs. I know, I looked like a stroppy teenager, but… Oh that woman made me want to actually use my power that caused harm to Vampires. What? I couldn't get in trouble for it. I could survive living with my dad for a little bit. Then running and hiding from vampires for a while. It would be worth it after hearing her scream and cradle her charred face for talking to me like a blood bag.

"Now Tell me about the bombing, please. Every single detail," Nan turned to Godric after glaring towards Eric and me. Godric complied and did as she asked. Throughout the whole explanation, I felt eyes drift to me every now and then. I was just staring at my jeans finding it the most interesting thing on the planet…

When Nan finally exited the room, I stood up and ran a hand through my hair, trying to ignore the exchange between Godric and Eric. This whole meeting was actually painful and took most of the night. I gave Sookie a sweet smile and snuck out quickly as Bill had faced Eric saying they had a score to settle. I actually wanted to see what was going on, but the best I could do for now was listen in as I slowly walked to my door across the… amazingly short hall…

"Not now…" Eric sounded broken...

"Yes now," I heard a grunt and some kind of smack as I slipped my key card in the machine to my door. I refrained from gasping. When I was finally in my room, I was leaning on the door.

I can't believe she did that… I can't believe he's just accepted it all… And then Eric… he was just… I think he was upset and the way he spoke to Bill before I entered my room was… not right. Something doesn't feel right. I can feel it in my gut. I just can't let any more disaster happen so soon. Not yet. I spun round to open my door and I saw Sookie close hers. We took one look at each other before nodding. It seems we both understood each others thoughts really…

"Roof?" Sookie asked and I nodded, following her as we sped to the roof as fast as we could.

When we were walking up the stairs, Sookie suddenly stopped before I could see much. She looked back at me biting her bottom lip and then finally continued up the steps.

The roof was quite large, the occasional vents around the outside, overlooking the view of Dallas, with taller buildings scattered around. I shivered as my eyes trailed over to Eric standing a few feet away from Godric, hunched slightly in his usual demeanour, but I sensed some anger by the rigid way he took a few steps towards his maker.

"Then I will keep you alive by force!" he growled to Godric and I looked to Sookie in shock for a split second. Godric was going to meet the sun still.

"Even if you could, why would you be so cruel?" Godric whispered and I strained to hear. My heart reached out to Godric as he stared off into the distance where I was pretty sure the sun was going to rise soon. It was gradually growing lighter as the seconds ticked by. I could feel something running through my veins and I knew what I wanted to do, but my body seemed frozen.

Eric started speaking in a different language, but his tone said it all for me. He was upset, hurt… I didn't want to think about it… I didn't like how crushed he sounded. I didn't like the effect it was having on me…

His head bowed down as Godric replied and what came out of Eric's mouth next caused me to grasp Sookie's wrist in shock. He was sobbing and I guess, begging. He soon fell to his knees and I wanted to look away. I have never seen him so…so, broken. I could feel my eyes well.

Sookie turned to face me and I turned my head to look at her. She had tears in her eyes, her heart reaching out for Eric. It was obvious that Godric wanted to meet the sun and Eric didn't want him too. We saw the attachment Eric had to his maker.

"Let me go…"

I closed my eyes, I could tell what was coming next…

"I won't let you die alone."

I physically winced. I knew I did. It hurt a little hearing him say that. It felt like being stabbed in the gut...

"Yes, you will." I couldn't watch it anymore. I had to look away after Eric started to sob. "As your Maker," Godric started and my eyes shot to him, he was smiling serenely to Eric, "I command you."

He used his ability as Eric's maker to prevent him to meet the sun. I felt myself release a quiet breath, but it went unheard. Thank the Lord. Eric finally stood up and I breathed a shuddery breath as he took some steps away from his maker. Godric finally turned his head, noticing us for the first time before turning to face where the sun was going to eventually rise.

My eyes shifted back to Eric and I gasped silently, my hand flying to my mouth. He had bloody tears falling down his pale face. I took a couple steps towards him as he walked towards the stairs. He looked up and noticed me, slowing down and finally stopping not far in front of me.

I reach out with my hand, hesitantly at first, to his arm and took it softly, my eyes never leaving his. He had to obey the order he was just given, I could see the torment in his eyes. He wanted to stay so badly, but he was compelled to go.

I opened my mouth to speak and I saw his eyes flicker slightly. Did he want me to say something? Was there something I could do? Could I really stop Godric from meeting the sun? And if so, how long would it be till he tried it again? His mind was set on this. Eric's face slightly fell in desperation, his bloody tear-filled eyes seeking mine for some form of an answer that I will be able to prevent this from happening. I slowly shook my head in bereavement and desperation.

Eric nodded a fraction, understanding what I was trying to put across and I saw more tears reach his eyes. I felt his arm shift and I thought he was going to push my hand off him, but he grasped my fingers with his own in the softest of touches before walking past, looking back at Godric once more. I turned, my eyes following him as he walked down the steps, his eyes landing on me just before he disappeared. I saw the faintest of nods once more before I looked to Sookie. She had remained tactically out of the way during my little exchange with Eric. I was grateful for this.

I turned to Godric, taking a deep breath before walking towards him. I left some distance between us still. He was shaking very slightly. He looked scared.

"It won't take long," he said and my jaw clenched, wanting to keep the tears at bay, "Not at my age," The last thing I have ever wanted to see in my immortal life was see a Vampire meet the sun. I felt my eyes drop to the ground as the silence continued, "Will I be forgiven? Even If I don't deserve it?" I heard him ask and I raised my eyes to see he had turned to face me. I pulled a smile to my head and slowly nodded.

"Of course you will," I heard myself whisper. He nodded, turning his head to the distance, taking in a long, shuddery breath before facing me.

"Have you ever been to Heaven?" he asked and I gnawed at my bottom lip as the tension grew before shaking my head slowly.

"I have always been afraid to go," I explained, "I mean, I visit my dad, but that's not in Heaven." Godric nodded his head, understanding what I meant completely.

"Will I go there?" his eyes stared at me intently, gazing into mine, desperate for answers I now could not really give. I didn't know. I have never been there nor asked about it really. I felt my brows knot together as I looked down guiltily.

"I don't know," I sighed, I wish I could have given him some kind of comfort and it made my heart ache a little to be powerless to do so. He made a noise of confirmation, "I'm sorry," I murmured sadly, feeling my eyes prick with sorrow.

"It's okay," I looked up to see him smiling softly, "No one knows the answers to everything." I tried my best to return it, but I couldn't feel the smile on my lips, "You'll care for him?" He asked and I arched a brow in confusion, "Eric." He nodded in the direction to the stairs and I felt my mouth drop a little bit. Whoa… what?

"I-I-I don't know, I mean… Eric hasn't exactly opened up to me very much." I tucked some hair behind my ear, but he only looked serene and knowing. He knows things that I don't and by the look in his eyes, he wanted me to discover this on my own.

"He has opened up to you more than others," Godric explained and my eyes widened in shock before softening.

"I-I don't understand…" I heard myself admit, but he only beamed.

"He has spent a thousands years of his vampire life not taking as much as an interest as he has with you," I shifted awkwardly for a moment as he smiled softly. When I looked up, he was staring in the direction of the on coming sun. "Give him a little more time," he murmured staring intently up at the now glowing sky. I nodded wordlessly as I could see faint smoke rising from his skin. I swallowed the lump in my throat at this and kept my eyes open so no tears could escape the lids of my eyes. He gazed at it with such an emotion, I couldn't figure out what it was…

"Ar-Are you scared?" I asked when I had found my voice again and he smiled, shaking his head.

"No," his head shot back to mine, a huge smile of anticipation on his face, "I'm full of joy." I gulped as the tears became harder and harder to stem their flow, and I looked up at the sky as if hoping they would absorb before they were revealed.

"But… the pain you…" I heard Sookie stutter from behind me. I almost jumped, forgetting momentarily she was behind me. I tilted my head round to see her walk up before facing Godric once more.

"I want to burn," he explained and I both heard and felt the sentiment in his voice. He wanted this so badly… Would I ever want this when I have lived for as long as he? Probably not, but then Godric knew he had done unforgivable deeds in his years, that made this all the sadder when he was being so brave and gallant out of repentance.

I finally felt one of the restrained tears run down my cheek and he seemed taken aback by it as another fell down. He stepped forward, tracing a cold finger down where one had fallen, another trickling onto his finger. He stepped back, examining the drop on his finger in great interest before a small smile slipped across his face.

"An Angel and a Human with me at the very end," he stated and I felt Sookie clasp my hand in need of both comfort and to give comfort, I tightened my hold on her hand, feeling grateful for her being here. "Crying tears for me nonetheless." We looked to each other before slowly back at Godric, he seemed overjoyed, "Two thousand years, and I can still be surprised," I saw the bloody tears fill his eyes, but he kept them at bay. I pulled a melancholy smile to my face. "You truly are surprising people," he went on and he gave us a brilliant smile, "Yet, in this sight, I see God." I tightened my grip on Sookie's hand by a fraction as I bit my lip, my eyes closing as the tears started to blur my vision.

When I opened my eyes, I saw that the sky was brightening and at a faster pace now as the sun was rising. Godric motioned his hand for us to step back and Sookie had to place a hand on my other arm to pull me back.

He turned completely to the sun as he began to unbutton his loose white shirt. I forced myself to breathe as he took his slow steps towards the sunrise.

"Hayley…" he asked and I had to gulp before stuttering a 'yes', "I guess I'll find out for the both of us now…" he turned to smile at me briefly before continuing his walk towards the edge of the roof, the smoke becoming more evident as he removed his shirt. I was able to see the ancient tattoos on his back briefly… so intricate, so beautiful… just like Godric.

It wasn't long before his body caught alight in bright bluebell flames and soon dissolved into embers, flying off with the on coming breeze. I closed my eyes and turned to Sookie, hiding my head in her shoulder and she embraced me tightly. I felt her tears drip down my hair and then my shirt and I'm pretty sure she felt my tears on her front.

I don't know how long were stood there for, but the sun was completely out by now and my face felt slightly sore. Sookie looked no better. I knew my face would look almost normal by the time we got back to our rooms.

"Come on…" Sookie whispered hoarsely and started to pull us back inside. I paused, turning to see his discarded shirt on the floor and immediately thought of Eric. He would probably be dead to the world by now so I'll take it to his room after I have cleaned up and made myself look a fraction more normal. It's the least I could do for him at the moment.

I released Sookie's hand and ran to pick up the shirt before walking back to her, and taking her hand once more as we walked back to our rooms in silence.

Before we separated, we shared a hug once more wishing each other a good sleep before entering our rooms.

I leaned against the door once more and took a look around my extravagant hotel room. I hated it. I wanted to go home. Back to my room. Back to Bon Temps. Away from all of this. I wanna go back. Before I met Godric, before Eric... I don't care about the nightmares anymore. At least I didn't care then. Thing were... better. Less heartache, less... Less of this.

I sighed as I folded Godric's shirt and walked through to the bedroom. I concentrated on making the folding neat and straight, so not to crease it before placing it on my dressing table. I stared at it, my hands trailing over it to smooth out the creases before grasping my brush. I looked up to my slightly red and puffy-eyed reflection, ready to brush my hair from the curls and gasped at the sight behind me.

Eric was sat on the bed, hunched over, shirtless. I could see the bloody tears down the side of his face. His shirt had been discarded carelessly behind.

"Eric?" I asked tentatively. He didn't even flinch at my voice. He did nothing to confirm he knew I was here.

"Godric is gone…" he stated after a long agonizing silence, not lifting his head, just staring at the floor ahead of him. I saw a few bloody tears drop down to the cream carpet before I sighed sadly walking to the bathroom and dampening a cloth with warm water. I stared at my reflection as I squeezed the water from the cloth. My face was slightly puffy and my eyes still faintly bloodshot.

When I returned I crouched in front of him. He slowly raised his head to look at me with desperate eyes, hoping I could say that it wasn't true. That I had been able to stop Godric. I tried my best to smile softly, raising the warm cloth to wipe his bloody face. His eyes closed when it touched his face and he leaned into it, grasping my hand gently. I saw the pain in his clenched jaw and the way his brows knotted tightly. I felt fresh tears in my eyes and I tried to be strong.

"I'm so sorry…" I whispered and he pulled my hand round, to kiss my wrist gently. I felt my eyes drift close at his soft, desperate butterfly kisses down the pulse point of my wrist, appreciating the softness of his lips pressed to my skin. A hot tear burned my cheek...

Call me pathetic, but the time I've spent when I haven't woken up in his arms have been awful. I didn't like it. It didn't feel right at all. I felt alone and unloved. At least when waking up in his arms, I had that illusion of feeling loved with his tight embrace.

My eyes fluttered open, when he paused, to see him gazing at me, his eyes glazed over in his sorrow, his hurt, the silent desperation for me to take those feelings away.

I bit my bottom lip before I leaned up, slowly removing my arm from his lips and replacing it with my own. His kisses were hesitant at first, unsure even, before he filled his need in them, wrapping his arms around my waist and crushing me against his bloody body.

He was no longer this confident, self assured Vam… no, Man, his kisses were needy, desperate… vulnerable.

I felt the now hot tears burn my cheek as he picked me up, using a hand to tilt my head back for more access. Ever since I met Eric Northman, this was now top of the list of 'Things I would never expect to experience'. In my books, Eric Northman was a self confident, mysterious, arrogant, sexy…Douche; but this guy? The way he kept pulling me tighter to his body, as if afraid I will pull away in disgust, his own tears mixing with my own? It was… so human…

I wrapped my arms round his neck, one tangling itself in his blonde hair, and pulled myself closer as if to tell him I wasn't going anywhere. I'll stay for him. I'll be his safety net…

I tried... I tried so hard. I didn't want to say goodbye. Far from it. Godric is an amazing character and in this season of True Blood, just so... I don't know, but I'm glad he's made appearances in later seasons. Positive or not. (I haven't seen the most recent(I think so anyway) season, so no spoilers. I got Angry at Sookie (of obvs reasons if you watched it (course you did)) and refused to watch any more...)
As always, please let me know what you think, and don't kill me. Cause even though I am so sorry I couldn't change things, I'm not sorry. I feel things wouldn't work out the way I want them too otherwise...
Thank you for reading.
:)